The book launch ceremony for Hainan province's first and only full and accurate comprehensive history was held in Hainan on May 7.
The book was compiled by Zhou Weimin and Tang Lingling, professors of Hainan University, and was published by the People's Publishing House. The professors devoted themselves to the book for 30 years, and offer it as a gift marking the 30th anniversary of Hainan's establishment as a province and a special economic zone.
The 2.7-million-word book includes six fascicles depicting Hainan's politics, economy, social situation, culture, science and education in the Pre-Five Dynasties (21 Century BC – AD 979), Song and Yuan dynasties (AD 960-1368), Qing Dynasty (AD 1644-1911), Republic of China (AD 1912-1949), and contemporary era. Covering nearly a period of 10,000 years, the book has abundant historical data with appropriate expression, and will contribute a great deal to the study of Hainan's local history. At present, the first five fascicles have been published. The sixth has been submitted for approval and is expected to debut this autumn.
According to the publicity department of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee, the publication fills a gap in the recording of the comprehensive history of Hainan. The book reveals the true face of Hainan's historical development and will strongly promote history teaching and inheritance of excellent Chinese traditional culture.
The ceremony was supported by the publicity department of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee and the People's Publishing House. Joint organizers encompass the Hainan Federation of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hainan Daily, Hainan University, and Hainan Phoenix Xinhua Publication and Distribution Co, Ltd.