Zhang Jian is featured in the drama Jianghai Chaosheng. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

A new historical drama chronicling the life of Zhang Jian (1853-1926), one of modern China's most influential industrialists and educators, premiered on China Central Television's flagship channel on July 20.

Jianghai Chaosheng, or Tides of River and Sea, made its debut at 8 pm on CCTV-1, the network's prime-time slot. The series is produced by CCTV and marks the 100th anniversary of Zhang's death in 2026.

Set against the turbulent social backdrop following the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–95), the drama traces Zhang's lifelong efforts to build modern industry and education in China during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and early Republican era (1912-49).

Zhang, who held the rare distinction of being both a traditional imperial scholar — having earned the highest degree in the civil service examinations — and a pioneering entrepreneur, is widely regarded as a foundational figure in Chinese private enterprise.

In 1895, Zhang established the Dasheng Cotton Mill, a venture that became a benchmark for privately managed industrial enterprises with official backing. The mill's yarn production supplied local weavers in the northern Yangtze River region and helped curb the market share of imported cotton goods, serving as a key vehicle for domestic capital to compete against foreign textile imports.

Zhang channeled his industrial profits into philanthropic and educational initiatives, transforming his hometown of Nantong into what historians have called "China's first modern city".

He founded nearly 400 schools in various fields, including teacher training, textiles, medicine and agriculture — institutions that laid the groundwork for departments at prestigious universities such as Fudan and Tongji, both in Shanghai, and Southeast University in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. He also established the Nantong Museum, one of China's earliest public museums.

The production aims to present Zhang's life choices and career trajectory, highlighting his pragmatic spirit and commitment to strengthening the nation through industry and education.