The English translation of the History of Audit in China has been released as a joint publication of the Foreign Language Press and China Modern Economic Publishing House. The History of Audit in China provides a monumental look at the path of this fascinating subject, and was written by a team of experts and scholars led by Li Jinhua, auditor general of China for the last four years.

The book was officially launched by Dong Dasheng, the vice auditor general of the China's National Audit Office at a press conference on July 3.

The three-volume book, published in Chinese in 2003, chronicles the evolution of the audit in China over three millennia and sheds light on the slow progression of Chinese political, economic and administrative systems.

The first volume covers the history of auditing from Western Zhou Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty; the second volume tasks itself with looking at the Beijing and Nanjing governments of the Republic of China from 1912 through to 1949; and the third one is devoted to auditing under the regime of the People's Republic of China, from 1949 to 2003.

Following the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) motto of "Mutual Experience Benefits All", the senior management of the National Audit Office of China commissioned an English translation in January 2006 to be published worldwide, enabling all those with an interest to gain valuable insights in Chinese audits, administrative systems and economic operations.

The translation of the History of Audit in China was undertaken by Beijing Maniforces International Technologies and Trade Co. Ltd. (Volume I), Beijing Xin Da Ya Translation Co. Ltd. (Volume II) and Beijing SinoCom-ArtM Technology Co. Ltd. (Volume III).

"This book is the end-result of several years of arduous work by a wide body of experts and scholars. This is the first time China will provide international readers with a comprehensive overview of its audit civilization to international readers. By covering every historical period from ancient times to today, this has now filled an important history gap," said Huang Youyi, vice president of the China International Publishing Group, in a speech at the ceremony.

Huang added, "The History of Audit in China integrates both the study of Chinese audit history and the future of the discipline. It will aid the construction of a socialist audit of Chinese characteristics while making full use of historical experience and sound theories. Finally, it will contribute to the world audit civilization through providing extensive experience and wisdom."

"The book is a great contribution to the world by detailing the experiences and lessons to be drawn from Chinese audit history from ancient times until now," Li Xueqin, a famous Chinese historian, said in his speech.

Li Jinhua, the auditor general of the National Audit Office, and Cai Mingzhao, vice minister of the State Council Information Office and president of the China International Publishing Group, also attended the press conference.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Chen Lin, July 3, 2007)