Shanghai to establish local celebrity database  

上海筹建“名人资料库”留存海派历史文脉

上海社会科学院正在对300名与上海有着密切关系的著名历史人物进行系统研究，并旨在最终打造一个涵盖上千位历史先贤的“上海名人资料库”，以图为海派文化“留根”。

Shanghai (CNS) -- The Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences is conducting a systematic study on 300 famous figures related to the city's history, it announced June 26. The aim is to eventually establish a local database on over one thousand celebrities that enriched local history.

The research for the first batch of 36 historical figures is finished. The characters include revolutionary pioneer Dr.Sun Yat-sen, scholar Hu Shi, business tycoon Liu Hongsheng and artist Feng Zikai.

"Our study attaches importance to oral history which varies from traditional historical studies," explained academy vice president Xiong Yuezhi. Researchers try to find little known historical details and recreate the real personalities of celebrities via visits to and talks with their offspring and friends.