Author Description

This book is a collection of articles on China's history and culture. Some articles have appeared in Chinese American Forum, a quarterly magazine to promote understanding of China. Magazine articles were not planned for coherent and logical organization of subjects. More than half are new articles added in this book for more coverage in history and culture, by CAF writers as well as others. Some articles that appeared in Chinese American Forum magazine have been updated. Thanks to my daughter Helen Tsao for the design of the book cover. (See addendum for names of historical figures in the photos.) Instead of conformity, articles will retain individual styles and variations. Different pinyin systems may be used by different authors. Chinese characters are included when necessary for names or passages not familiar to the public. History-Articles relating to history are divided in 3 groups in chronological order: 1. Imperial China-from Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) to Qing Dynasty, including the Opium Wars. 2. Modern China-from establishment of the Republic of China in 1912, through Northern Expeditions, War with Japan, bombing of Japan, the Civil Wars, establishment of PRC and the Cultural Revolution; One China Polity; Taiwan; Tibet. 3. Contemporary China-Developments since reform and opening up in 1978; outlook for the future, viewpoints n US-China relation of Western scholars like Henry Kissinger, Martin Jacques, Graham Allison and Chinese scholar and diplomat Wu Jianmin. Civilization-Since the ancient times, China has made important contributions in science and civilization, in agriculture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and infrastructure, including the Great Wall, the Grand Canal and the Three Gorges Dam. Culture-On cultural subjects, the book has introductory essays on these subjects: Confucius and Confucianism, Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism, Islam, Sun Zi, religions, differences with the West, education, poetry and Kung Fu..... All the authors have contributed their time