New Newsletters

NEW NEWSLETTERS A. STUDIES IN MODERN CHINESE HISTORY Introductory: As the number of people working on modern Chinese History increases so does the need for more contact and exchange of information between them - not only information about individual research, collective projects, seminars and conferences, but also reports of new materials which become available from time to time. It was in view of this increasing need that the 17th International Congress of Chinese Studies at Leeds University in 1965 approved the decision of its Modern History Section to start this Newsletter of Studies in Modern Chinese History, and welcomed the co-operation of the School of Oriental and African Studies in providing material facilities for its publication. Although we do not want to impose rigid limitations on the geographical coverage of the Newsletter, for the time being at least, practical considerations oblige us to omit the four major centres for studies in Modern Chinese History; China, for obvious reasons, Japan and the U. S. S. R. because there are too many people at work in these countries to allow us to do justice to them at present, and the U.S.A. because this is already covered by the Newsletter of the Association of Asian Studies. As for the rest, we count upon the co-operation of both institutions and individuals and will attempt as wide a coverage as possible. The notice which appeared in the May issue of the Newsletter of the A. A. S. announcing the publication of this newsletter has already evoked a - 20 - considerable response. We must, however, correct the impression which this notice gave, that the Newsletter will cover the whole field of 'Chinese studies'. It will deal only with modern Chinese history, that is the period from 1840 to 1949. The newsletter will appear every year for the time being. The first issue, is very tentative and very incomplete, but we are confident that it will help to build up a wider network of correspondence. Its omissions may be made good with the co-operation of centres or individuals who feel themselves neglected if they will send the relevant information to the editor in time for the next issue. C. A. Curwen, Department of History School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London, October 1966 B. MING STUDIES (This is a copy of the letter sent out on January 30, 1967, by CMRASC. ) In the last few years there has been a great increase in the number of scholars interested in Ming studies. There are now enough people working in this field to justify an organized exchange of information. A group of graduate students who have been meeting informally in Taiwan have decided that it would be helpful to compile a directory of scholars in all countries who are working on research topics related to the Ming. The main purpose of this list will be to facilitate communication among individuals with related research interests by making available names, addresses and current - 21 - research topics. This will be particularly valuable for graduate students whose work is usually unpublished arid therefore not known beyond their institutions , In order to collect the information needed for this directory we are sending out the enclosed form which you are requested to fill out and return as promptly as possible. At a minimum you should include your current address and area of interest. If you are doing any work on the Ming, a brief description and (estimated) date of publication would be of great value. This letter is being sent to a small number of people whose names were suggested by the Ming Biographical History Project at Columbia University and the Chinese Materials and Research Aids Service Center, Inc. here in Taiwan. We hope that you will add the names and addresses of other persons known to you-either students or colleagues who would be interested in being listed. It is essential that you suggest names to us because we have no other way of finding out who is interested in the field. We will send additional copies of this letter on to whom you list. If you personally are not interested in Ming studies, please send this letter to someone...