A Basic History of Ancient and Modern China

How would you define China? By its government, its geography, or its people? Spanning over 5,000 illustrious years, China is one of the Four Ancient Civilisations. But having gone through “a century of national humiliation” from the 19th to the 20th centuries, how did China overcome all the obstacles and struggles to go from a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society to a superpower with the second largest economy in the world?

From prehistoric times to the present, A Basic History of Ancient and Modern China takes you through China’s fascinating past, highlighting the significant Qin, Han, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as well as the Republic of China (ROC) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). To understand how the PRC has evolved into an economic powerhouse, a model for rapid modernisation, and a responsible geopolitical participant, you must learn its history.

Along with the facts, Dr. Chui gives his opinions and insights about historical events to help the readers better understand the causes of China’s ups and downs.

Book highlights include:

Over 200 images, diagrams, or maps to help illustrate Chinese history

Summarised Major Historical Incidents and Observations / Remarks in each chapter provide a critical viewpoint to understand the most important events in Chinese history.

A balanced and thoughtful account of the development of Chinese civilization from its beginnings to the present day

This book is for anyone interested in Chinese history, especially all overseas Chinese who do not know Chinese characters but are curious about their ancestry.