This book introduces international research on the history of educational activities in China. It reflects upon the new trend of both international and Chinese educational historiography, and proposes a new, tripartite “activities-thoughts-systems" theory to explore the subject of educational historiography. As such it advances not only the development of the field, but also the transformation of research paradigms. Taking a historical approach to examining educational activities and including a thoughtful combination of theories, case studies, history, and related literature, it is intended for university professors, graduate students and researchers in the field of the history of educational activities in China.

Dr. Hongyu Zhou is a Professor at the School of Education, Central China Normal University and concurrently a Professor at Beijing Normal University, Nanjing University and Wuhan University. He has served on several national advisory boards and committees, and is a reviewer for the education discipline of the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council; the Vice President of the National Society of Local Education History and the Education History Branch of the Chinese Education Society, and the Executive Vice President of the Tao Xingzhi Research Association in China. He has published over 100 journal articles and 15 books, and has been awarded over 10 first and second prizes by the Ministry of Education and by the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation of Hubei Province. He is recognized as one of the most influential persons contributing to China’s education development since the reform and opening up policy was adopted 40 years ago.