ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses comments and reflections on Chinese business history. The academic studies of Chinese business history transcend much of the "presentism" of more popular studies. By placing the development of business in Chinese societies within the framework of a century or more of change and development, we are able to ask more enduring questions. The greatest change in the study of Chinese business history in the past generation has been the opening of China for academic research. Indeed, the business records held at archival institutions in China are some of the richest in the world. Whereas many Western firms retain control and access to their archives, most economic units in China lost control of their records in 1949. Most of the students of Chinese business history in North America are active participants in the Association for Asian Studies. The Chinese Business History Research Group is an affiliate of this body.
