ANCIENT ROOTS FROM QUANTITATIVE PERSPECTIVES
Explores prehistoric and historical China through archaeological data and discoveries.
CULTURE, RELIGION AND LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES
Examines religious interactions and economic impact on China's development.
STATE CAPACITY, INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
Quantifies state capacity in historical China, examining evolution and impact on outcomes.
FINANCIAL HISTORY, TRADE AND THE RISE OF HONG KONG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE
Examines China's financial development, historical influences, and trade dynamics.
ANCIENT ROOTS FROM QUANTITATIVE PERSPECTIVES
Explores prehistoric and historical China through archaeological data and discoveries.
CULTURE, RELIGION AND LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES
Examines religious interactions and economic impact on China's development.
STATE CAPACITY, INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
Quantifies state capacity in historical China, examining evolution and impact on outcomes.
FINANCIAL HISTORY, TRADE AND THE RISE OF HONG KONG
Examines China's financial development, historical influences, and trade dynamics.
Area of Excellence (AoE) Project
Quantitative History of China:
Historical Roots of Recent Success and Future Development
“Uniquely among nations, China has a wealth of historical and archaeological archives covering almost all aspects of society, from politics to business, law and regulation, crime and unrest, family and lineage, culture and customs, religion and social organisation and science. Many of these records have been recently digitised, offering quantitative historians an unprecedented opportunity to re-examine various aspects of China’s past.”
Professor Zhiwu Chen
Project Coordinator
News Highlights
Held on December 9-10, 2024, the conference brought together more than 160 attendees, comprising leading economic historians, economists, other academics, young researchers and students working on the economic history of all regions of Asia, as well as those comparing Asia with other regions.
We are thrilled to share that our Centre has introduced an engaging new PhD level seminar course on Quantitative History at the HKU Business School.
We take pride in the integral role our Centre plays within the School’s vibrant research community. Our continuous commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing critical challenges remains at the forefront of our mission.
We are delighted to announce the launch our new CQH website, featuring revamped content, improved navigation and a refreshed design.
The Summer School for Quantitative History cum International Symposium, a cross-institutional effort initiated by Prof. Zhiwu Chen in 2013, trains aspiring young researchers from various disciplines to become successful scholars in the rapidly growing field of quantitative history, with a focus on China. This summer, the project team members and advisory board members of the Centre for Quantitative History (CQH) at the HKU Business School brought the team’s momentum again to Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), where they jointly organized the 10th Summer School for Quantitative History cum International Symposium on Quantitative History together with SJTU Department of History, and the Institute of Qing History at Renmin University of China. These annual activities, held from July 6 to 15, 2024, were a success, attracting over 250 scholars from universities and research institutions around the world.
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WebinarsBoqun Zhou offers new insights into the mechanics of levers in the Mohist Canon and the scale markings on Chu balance beams. Join us to gain a more precise understanding of how lever mechanics were conceptualized in the Pre-Qin period.
April 17, 2025ConferencesJointly hosted with the CUHK-UC San Diego Joint Laboratory on Chinese Economy, the two-day international conference will focus on the broad theme of State Capacity from a historical and comparative perspective. We welcome submissions from all regions of the world. Topics can include quantification, theoretical frameworks, historical empirical testing, and micro case studies of state capacity.
May 23, 2025Summer SchoolsEmbark on a transformative journey at the Eleventh Quantitative History Summer School where students can engage with top scholars, explore quantitative methodologies, and broaden their academic horizons. Join us from July 5-15, 2025, in Qingdao and Yantai, Shandong. Apply now to secure your spot before the April 10 deadline and seize the opportunity to elevate your historical research pursuits.
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Life At HKU
Explore vibrant campus life and community engagement
Our Experts
Access interdisciplinary insights from quantitative historians
Latest Event Recordings
Stay updated with recorded presentations and lectures
Training
Enhance your quantitative skills through specialised programmes
