Cover of One Person and One City – Zhang Jian and Nantong. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

The book titled One Person and One City – Zhang Jian and Nantong was published in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on Nov 3.

Compiled by Zhang Xinke from the Jiangsu Provincial Federation of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Qin Zhilin from Jiangsu College of Engineering and Technology, and other writers, it was published by Nanjing University Press.

Unlike the previous books about Zhang Jian (1853-1926), a renowned industrial magnate, educator, and scholar in Nantong, the newly-launched book revolves around both Zhang and Nantong to portray them from 10 aspects.

It outlines the relations between Zhang and Nantong, restoring a vivid figure who was familiar with his hometown, and analyzes his influence on the city's development.

Zhang Xinke said that he assumed the job of writing such a book because of his overseas study in Germany where he first knew about Zhang Jian and learned about his achievements.

He added that the book includes three parts – what kind of person was Zhang Jian, what kind of city did he build, and what impact did he have on the city.

Qin noted that the college he is working in can be traced back to the textile and dying training school founded by Zhang in 1912 and Zhang also established Qin's almamater Nantong University.

Therefore, he believes that it is his responsibility to help more people learn about Zhang Jian and inspire more scholars to study the Nantong native, Qin said.