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
We are delighted to present《物值幾何：清代抄產檔案中的價格資料與數據》—a major scholarly work that brings together rich historical records and rigorous data-based analysis. Written by our Director, Zhiwu Chen, as well as our Co-Principal Investigator, Zhan Lin, together with their co-author, Yan Yun, the book offers a systematic approach to understanding Qing-dynasty asset and commodity values.
Co-organised by the Centre for Quantitative History (CQH) and the HK Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IHSS), the workshop brought together archaeologists, historians, economists and legal scholars to explore how new data, quantitative methods and archaeological evidence are reshaping the study of early China.
Deadline: April 20, 2026 | We now invite submissions of research papers on all relevant historical topics using quantitative approaches including but not limited to economic and social history, political history, cultural history, business and financial history and archival history. Submitted papers can be either in English or Chinese. Submissions must be unpublished and original. Discussants will be assigned for each accepted submission.
面對這樣的世界，人們難免疑惑：人類社會是否仍有出路？回望從春秋戰國到今日世界的歷史軌跡，我們或許能更清楚地看見，技術變革如何撕裂社會，並重新塑造秩序。
Our director’s research is cited in FPIF’s analysis. The article written by Jianlu Bi, “Why the War in Iran Defies a Quick End” analyses escalation pressures, regional incentives, and the limits of quick resolutions, drawing on this scholarship to illuminate why a rapid end is unlikely.
Sign Up for News
Join Upcoming Events
Quick Access
Begin your discovery with just one click, effortlessly.
Life at HKU
Explore vibrant campus life and community engagement
Our Experts
Access interdisciplinary insights from quantitative historians
Publications
Discover our collection of
research outputs
Latest Event Recordings
Stay updated with recorded presentations and lectures
Training
Enhance your quantitative skills through specialised programmes
FAQs
Find answers to common questions
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