A Brief History of China’s Salt Industry

Though salt is small in grain, it is vital to people’s livelihoods; the amount of tax levied on it affects the nation’s finances. Historical records show that China’s salt industry has a history of more than 5,000 years. In ancient times, it was not only a major source of tax revenue for successive dynastic governments, but also a vital lifeline for maintaining their rule. These governments attached great importance to the development, management, and production of salt, giving rise to countless dramatic and hair-raising stories. Today, advances in science and technology have made developing and producing salt resources a straightforward matter. Yet salt still has more than 15,000 uses across core industries, basic agriculture, everyday life, and many other fields. This book surveys five thousand years of China’s salt industry, focusing in particular on salt-producing regions, production techniques, salt taxes, and the administration of the salt industry.