Abstract: Mainly using the doctrine of "metabolism" to study the social transformation in modern China, CHEN Xu-lu has perfectly combined overall observations of grand historical trends on the one hand and careful analyses of historical details on the other. The fields he proposed, including the studies of Shanghai culture, Shanghai history, medium-level societies, secret parties and the history of China's society, still have great impact on the academic circle in China. Having historical insightfulness, historical talents and historical virtues, CHEN has set an example for and become a model in the research of modern Chinese history. Besides the theories that can be applied as methods, CHEN also has his "formless methodology", i.e., the ability of theoretical thinking. In order to promote the quality of the research of modern Chinese history in today's China, we need to re-visit and re-examine the historical legacy of CHEN.

Key words: CHEN Xu-lu, metabolism, modern Chinese history, theoretical thinking, historical insightfulness