The first book on the history of China-Portugal relations was published and issued on Wednesday.

 

Bu Ping, director of the Institute of Modern History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Huang Qinghua, who is now a researcher with the institute, spent ten years writing the book. The book was mainly divided into two parts: 1513 to 1840 and 1840 to 1999.

 

The book is in three volumes and has 1.2 million Chinese characters. It cites historical documents between China and Portugal and collects facts from relevant archives and files from other countries. "Therefore, the book is the first-hand and all-round reference for China-Portugal relations over the past 500 years," Bu commented.

 

Portuguese ambassador to China Antonio Santana Carlos said neither Portuguese nor Chinese historians have focused their eyes on Portugal-China ties before. "The book by the Chinese expert will fill a gap in this research field and help us better understand and further promote bilateral ties," he said.

 

The book was published and issued by Huangshan Publishing House, a well-known publishing house in China that excels in publishing academic research books.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2006)