Chinese Meteorological History

Author: Wen Kegang, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: A History of Chinese Meteorology is a comprehensive history of meteorology. This book is guided by dialectical materialism and historical materialism, taking practice as the standard for testing truth. It scientifically, objectively, and systematically examines historical records, determines historical facts, draws lessons from history, and elaborates on historical arguments. It comprehensively records the impact of meteorology on humanity, the relationship between humans and meteorology, as well as the work, achievements, and experiences of humans in understanding meteorological phenomena, mastering meteorological laws, overcoming meteorological disasters, and transforming local meteorological environments. This book will help deepen the understanding of meteorological affairs among people from all walks of life and readers. The book is divided into three parts: Ancient, Modern, and Contemporary. Although there are significant differences in time span, social nature, and technological levels among these periods, the writing still adopts the approach of "time as the longitude and events as the latitude," or "longitude of time and latitude of events."
The Ancient Section spans from ancient times to 1840 AD, covering over 10,000 years. The understanding of meteorological knowledge and the relationship between humans and meteorology evolved from its inception to systematicization, passing through different stages. It is primarily organized by dynasties, with the Zhou Dynasty being separated into a chapter of its own, as its conditions were similar to those of the Xia and Shang Dynasties. The Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty were a glorious era of Chinese civilization, and meteorology also made significant contributions, hence a separate chapter.
The Modern Section covers 1840 to 1949, a span of 110 years. Through the efforts of older meteorological scientists, the foundation of modern meteorological science was laid, and the meteorological cause of the people began to show signs of victory.
The Contemporary Section covers 1949 to 2000, a span of 51 years. The meteorological cause of the new China developed at an unprecedented speed and made important contributions to the global meteorological science cause. The content related to the Chinese Meteorological Society and the meteorological affairs of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan are placed in the Appendix.