The US Columbia University's Rare Edition Manuscripts Library is reportedly going to release en masse Mr. Chang Hsueh-liang's oral account of history on file to mark the 101st anniversary of the general's birth.

The news will of course throw big repercussions within Chinese historians, for this oral account evidencing the life of Mr. Chang known to China's modern history.

What people care most at this moment are undoubtedly new historical revelations of the Xi'an Incident, which is closely related to this great man.

Chang Hsueh-liang's oral account is by itself a rich precious record of history and life of Mr. Chang.

As told by Mr. Chang Hsueh-liang's verbal account, a wealth of historical materials will be made known, including his large number of correspondence with such historical personages as Chiang Kai-shek, Soong Mei-ling and Kong Xiang-xi, all important figures in Chinese modern history.

Materials long kept from the public such as Zhang's photos with his wife, his collection of curiosities, paintings, documents, work diary, records of important meetings and talks are all included in the release.

It is told that as had been formerly agreed, the Rare Edition Manuscripts Library is going to have its collection of Mr. Chang's opened on the anniversary of his 101st birthday in 2002, and used or reviewed by appointments on a study purpose starting from June 5 on this year.

Zhang Youkun, vice chairman and research fellow of Chang Hsueh-liang Study Society under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences told news media that he is most happy to know that the Rare Edition Manuscripts Library is going to release Chang Hsueh-liang's verbal account record since his death last year.

As shown by his oral account, people will find in Mr. Chang a patriot and his life long in captivity.

So, high credit must go to Zhang Zhiyu and Zhang Zhibin for their three years of scholarly study in helping the world readership with a full record of Mr. Chang Hsueh-liang's oral account put out, he said.

Professor Yang Kuisong with the faculty of History of Peking University also tells how he feels about Mr. Chang Hsueh-liang's oral account, saying that it must be claimed as a complete systematic work of historical academic significance.

( June 4, 2002)