Highlighted at the recent AAS meeting was a new component of the China Data Center - information on the history and culture of China as well as a wealth of photographs of regions.

The website is http://chinadatacenter.org

The China Data Center at the University of Michigan is a new initiative to advance the study and understanding of China. A primary goal of the Center will be the integration of historical, social and natural science data in a geographic information system, where spatial and temporal references will be maintained through a relational database. This will facilitate comparative and interdisciplinary uses of the data, enable both non-specialists and China scholars to understand and utilize these data, and enhance knowledge of China. Its missions include: to support research in the human and natural components of local, regional and global change; to promote quantitative research on China studies; to promote collaborative research in spatial studies; and to promote the use and sharing of China data in teaching and research.