A seminar on the economy and social structure of ancient China is held at YNU, on May 13. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

An annual seminar on the economy and social structure of ancient China took place at Yunnan University (YNU), on May 13.

More than 100 specialists in Chinese history from various universities including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Zhejiang University and YNU took part in the event.

Debates took place“rich people society” and “agricultural-commercial society”, two popular concepts indicating two different historical phases in current research on Chinese history, with the former one being proposed by Lin Wenxun, president of YNU and the latter one by Ge Jinfang, professor at Beijing Normal University and Zhao Yifeng, professor at Northeast Normal University.

At the instigation of the three professors, the seminar was initially held at YNU. With the expansion of its influence, it has since been successively held by Northeast Normal University, Capital Normal University and Xiamen University.

Next year’s seminar will be held at Hubei University.