This volume highlights the major science and technology developments in the period from the 7th to 18th century under the influence of Chinese and Western communications and diplomacy, discussing topics such as the Chinese abacus, herbalism, natural history literature in ancient China and musical theory. This book is the third volume in the series History of Science and Technology in China. History of Science and Technology in China is the first series with high academic values on general history of Chinese science and technology, with contributions by top-notch scholars in this field. This 5-volume work provides an encyclopedic historical panorama of Chinese scientific and technological development. It unfolds the history of Chinese science and technology through a clarified timeline from as early as the far ancient times to the very present. This work consists of five volumes: Origins of Chinese Sciences, Ancient Chinese Studies of Heaven and Earth, High Tide of Chinese Sciences, Theoretical and Technological Development, and Western Influences.

Xiaoyuan Jiang, Dean of the Institute of science history and science and culture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University