A forum on Chinese local chronicles and outstanding traditional Chinese culture is held in Nantong on Aug 29. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

This year marks the 170th birthday of Zhang Jian (1853-1926), a renowned industrial magnate, educator, and scholar in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province.

More than 100 experts in local chronicles culture and Zhang Jian gathered in Zhang's birthplace – Haimen district – on Aug 29 to attend a forum on Chinese local chronicles and outstanding traditional Chinese culture.

Starting from 1888, Zhang compiled five chronicles for Ganyu district in Lianyungang, Taicang, Dongtai county in Yancheng, Haimen, and Nantong.

The Nantong chronicles consist of 24 volumes which record the city's overall situation from 1876 to 1921.

Qian Ronggui, dean of the school of literature at Nantong University, delivered a speech on the relations between Zhang Jian and local chronicles.

He believes that Zhang Jian formed a relatively mature concept for compiling chronicles, that is, paying attention to authenticity and current society, highlighting local people, and using surveying and mapping technology and charts.

To better gather resources and yield research results, the Jiangsu Local Chronicles Zhang Jian Research Alliance was established. The first members include Nanjing, Suzhou, Nantong, Yancheng, Lianyungang, Suqian, Haimen district of Nantong, Changshu, Dongtai, and Ganyu district of Lianyungang.

The Zhang Jian Literature Museum, a branch of the Jiangsu Local Chronicles Museum, was also inaugurated in Haimen on the same day. The museum is expected to become a world-renowned center for collecting literature related to Zhang Jian as well as a center for international exchanges.