뉴스레터

Records of the Grand Historian (史記; also known in English as the Records of the Grand Scribe) chronicles the pre-Han dynasties of China. Thereafter, dynastic histories were recorded in the jizhuanti style (紀傳體; annals-biography style). These historical records, as a group, are called the Standard Histories of China (正史). Together with the New History of the Yuan (新元史), compiled during the Republic of China period, the collection is referred to as the Twenty-Five Histories. When the Draft History of Qing (靑史稿), not included in the Standard Histories of China, is also added, the compilation is called the Twenty-Six Histories.

Research Department II of the Northeast Asian History Foundation has gathered from the Standard Histories of China a series of monographs on foreign states and non-Han ethnic groups. Research Department II has defined these monographs as "Monographs on Foreign States." Since 2007, the Department has been carrying out a long-term translation and annotation project of these materials.

The fundamental purpose behind the compilation of the Standard Histories of China was in solidifying a unified historical awareness patterned by the Chinese state authority. Therefore, its organization and content strongly reflect the stance of China's imperial dynasties. This is especially true when it comes to materials concerning foreign states and non-Han ethnic groups. The "Monographs on Foreign States" demonstrate that China's perception of foreign states underlying these materials is not a reflection or reaction to contemporary circumstances but an expression of the strong, overarching influence of Sinocentrism.

Regardless, the "Monographs on Foreign States" do provide an abundance of information on foreign states and non-Han ethnic groups. Those very foreign states and non-Han ethnic groups themselves, on the other hand, left behind relative little about their own histories organized from their own respective viewpoints. That is why the accurate understanding and study of the "Monographs on Foreign States" from the Standard Histories of China is very important for research on not only the histories and cultures of East Asian nations but also on various types and levels of international relations in East Asia, including Korea-China relations.

The "Monographs on Foreign States" translation and annotation project was conceived to gain an accurate understanding of the true identity of the foreign states featured and shed light on the ideological principles and structures of China's perception of foreign states as reflected in the Standard Histories of China. Through such an investigation, the project also aims to understand the ideological principles behind the narratives on Korea-China relations in Chinese historical texts. The National Institute of Korean History has already translated , annotated, and published the "Monographs on Joseon (朝鮮)" from the Standard Histories of China. Therefore, these monographs were not included in the project. The "Monographs on Joseon" are undoubtedly very important historical records in the study of Korean history and Korea-China relations. However, they have limitations in revealing the true nature of Korea-China relations. It is necessary to study the "Monographs on Joseon" in the larger context of the "Monographs on Foreign States." Only then, can we arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of Korea's modern external relations and Korea-China relations.

This is the very first attempt, both in Korea and overseas, at translating the "Monographs on Foreign States" in their entirety. Considering the complexity of the content, sheer volume, and spatio-temporal scope, translating the "Monographs on Foreign States" is certainly not an easy endeavor. It is expected that the translation of the "Monographs on Foreign States" will make a major contribution to reinforcing the research framework on the study of China's perception of history and the world, the issues of nations and border regions, modern Korea-China relations, and East Asian international relations. Research Department II will do its utmost to produce high-quality translations by making use of the best skills and talents of academia.

The translations will be published consecutively from the monographs on foreign states in the Records of the Grand Historian. Once all translations have been completed, they will be organized into a database accessible to scholars and the general public through the Northeast Asian History Foundation's website. This will enable experts to bring more depth and breadth to their research, and the general public to gain a better understanding of the histories and cultures of East Asian nations and the interactions between them.