|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China > Brief History
|
|
|
|
|
We welcome your feedback
Contact us
Advertise with us
Interested in advertising with us?
Contact us and let's discuss the various possibilities.
|
|
|
Brief History
|
|
We're starting of on the wrong foot here, China's history is not brief, it spans millennia. Some timelines place the beginning of 'China' in 2852 BC with the 'Legendary Sage Emperors' followed by Hsia, Shang and Chou dynasties. Other books start with what is called the Spring and Autumn period 770-481 BC and the Warring States period 481-221 BC which largely coincides with the Eastern Chou period. After this there was a succession of dynasties such as the Qin, Han, Tang and Ming and ending with the Ch'ing or Manchu dynasty in 1911.
In 1912 the Republic of China was declared and in 1949 the communist Peoples Republic of China (PRC) was formed.
The West has had dealings with China for many centuries in one form or another but interaction with 'modern' Western states can be considered to have started in 1792 with Lord Macartney's embassy to China and gained importance in 1842 with the First Opium War after which the first treaty ports were opened, Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Fuzhou and Guangzhou.
The more recent history is turbulent and China is changing fast but some perspective may be needed too. Consider the following quotes:
"A large territory lies vacant but if we wait others will build on it. […] With mutual support of all those who have or want to have an interest in China - bankers. Merchants, industrialists and ship owners - a great deal can be accomplished over there" - Mr. E. Heldering KNSM, HBM (ABN-AMRO) 1899.
"No standing still in a part of the world which breathes revitalization from every angle - an awakening after centuries of quiet tranquility" - P.J. Roosegaarde Bisschop JCJL (Nedlloyd) 1905
"The great thing is to keep in the game. The China market is potentially one of the world's largest and […] we should be well rewarded for patience and enterprise" - J.L. Heyworth Unilever 1940
The above few lines can not even approach the richness of China's ancient or recent history and anybody considering living in China for a period of time is encouraged to get some history books or read some recent non-fiction by Chinese authors, it is well worth while.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
