I thought this is a fascinating question, and I didn't have any knowledge on the subject, so I decided to put my Google research skills to the test. I've always been interested in Chinese history, and I'm continually exploring the development of the internet, so I rationalized it as a worthy project. I'm sure I could have found a lot more if I could read Chinese - but I can't. Here's what I found in English in a couple of hours:
THE OFFICIAL STORY: China Internet Information Center (The authorized government portal site to China) http://www.china.org.cn/english/haixia/xuanju/72973.htm "China uses the metric system in weights and measures, and its earlier system is still widely used in some areas." Their official conversion table shows an uncanny correlation between traditional Chinese measures and the new metric measures; ie. 1 km = 2 li, 1 m = 3 chi, 1 kg = 2 jin, 1 hectare = 15 mu, 1 liter = 1 sheng. No doubt official revisionism took place some time since the development of the metric system to redefine "traditional" measures in terms of international standards. BACKGROUND HISTORY: Electronic Passport to Chinese History (I could spend all day there!) http://www.mrdowling.com/613chinesehistory.html "...the Ch'in state managed to unify China by 221BC. A group known as the Legalists influenced the Ch'in Dynasty. The Ch'in rulers clearly explained and strictly enforced laws. They standardized weights and measures ...." CURRENT SITUATION: The Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF) site provides a wealth of information. http://www.aplmf.org/info/ "The APLMF is a grouping of legal metrology authorities in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies and other economies on the Pacific Rim." This site has links to metrology reports from most Asian and Pacific countries, including the US [This interesting quote comes from a US report: "The NCWM and NIST agree that US consumer acceptance of SI units can best be promoted though prepackaged goods."] They provide a historical overview in the 2000 report: "China�s ancient metrology can be traced back to the late clan society 4000 years ago. According to the account in the ancient books, Huandi established the five quantities that were length, capacity, weight, li and figure. Shun made his tour of inspection for harmonizing days, months, seasons, standardizing the temperament and weights and measures in the different clan tribes. Xiayu took the length and weight of his own body as standards. The ancient rule handed down from the Shang dynasty is 15.8 centimeters long, graduated in 10 Cun scales. "In 221 B.C., the first emperor of Qin promulgated the imperial edict aiming at standardizing the weights and measures, at the same time, series of weight and capacity standards were made and delivered to the whole country. He pursued in whole country the system of weights and measures units which had been implemented by Shangyang for more than 100 years during the period of the Warring States. The system of weights and measures standardized by the first emperor of Qin had been used for more than 2000 years in forming a unique system of measurement unit in our country. "China promulgated in 1985 the Law on Metrology of the People�s Republic of China which consists of a judicial assurance for reinforcing government�s metrological control and maintaining the uniformity of units system and the stability of the values of quantities in the country. Actually, China has builded a quietly comprehensive systems for supervision and metrological control, for technical assurance, for regulation and for provisin of a service." Read between the lines in that last sentence! In 1999 a "Current Development" was "Rules For the Punishment of Against Metrological Control of Quantities." I don't think this approach to metrication would go over well here in America. The 2000 document includes this progress report: "By the end of 1998, China has promulgated 1 law on metrology, 30 administrative regulations for metrology, 93 state hierarchy schemes for measuring instruments, 932 verification regulations, 235 technical norms; 44000 metrology inspectors and 65000 verification officers have followed training and obtained certificates, the global volume of verification carried out each year amounts to more than 20 millions of pieces." I was surprised by the amount of disclosure in their reports, and I'm sure they'd make a metrication historian very happy. There are many, many interesting tidbits in their reports. SUMMARY >From my brief investigation, it looks like China's interest in international trade has driven a push towards adapting international standards of weights and measures, starting with the 1985 law. Entrance into the World Trade Organization seems to have heightened this interest. Government is actively implementing the transition to the use of SI. However, because of its top-down approach and huge population, not to mention a traditional measurement system that's been in place for over 2000 years, there are large segments of the population and industry that continue to use traditional Chinese measures. David Shatto Los Angeles On Fri, 19 Sep 2003 08:50:48 -0700 "john mercer" wrote: > Hello everyone. Does anybody know if the country of Main Land China > use the metric system, or do they use imperial, or their own > measureing system? I would be interested to know this. Thanks.
