RESEARCH INTERESTS 

Economic History of Late Imperial and 20th-Century China; History of Capitalism; History of Global Trade; Social History of Technology (Currency Minting and Metallurgy); Sino-South American History

DISSERTATION

"Qing Copper Cash, Counterfeiting, and International Copper and Silver Trade: China's Monetary System in the Long 19th Century"

BIOGRAPHY

My research delves into the reciprocal influences of state, society, and economy in modern East Asia from the 1700s to the 1970s, with additional interests in transnational history and the history of capitalism. My Master's thesis at the University of Chicago in 2017, entitled "The Decline of The Yunnannese Copper Industry (1800-1850)," examined the decline of Yunnan's copper mining industry, which served as the backbone for the Qing Empire's minting. Through my research, I posited that the international trade of copper played a crucial role in determining not only the viability of China's domestic copper production but also the stability of China's monetary market.

The subject of copper continues to be a central theme in my ongoing PhD dissertation research. I focus on the impact of global circulation of copper ore and cash coins on Qing China's monetary system and economy, at both macro and micro levels. Specifically, I am intrigued by the reasons behind the rampant counterfeiting of Qing copper cash and its role in the monetary system's descent into a downward spiral between 1800 and 1860.

My previous research at UChicago included a study of taxation and land reform in North China, which examined how the Chinese state developed its statistics, intensively quantifying the rural economy and remarkably expanding their fiscal capacity in the 1930s and 1940s. Before joining UChicago, I received my B.A. in Economics from the School of Finance of Nankai University, and my M.A. in History from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

When not immersed in academic research, I indulge in my love for food, honing my skills as a cook and satisfying my taste buds as a diehard foodie. Furthermore, I am owned by two cats. Photography is another hobby that I am keen to explore, always seeking to improve my craft and capture captivating moments.