Abstract: Abstract: As the first part of our serial research, this paper explores the relation between the modern economics of regulation and Chinese traditional culture, thus illuminating how to work out the history of ancient thought on government regulation in China. Note that no terminology in ancient Chinese literature expresses exactly what “government regulation” means in economics. Therefore, to specify the subject of our exploration, this paper first defines “government regulation” explicitly and examines if the definition fits well in the historical context of China. Then, accordingly, it traces the origin of the thought of regulation. By showing clearly how the thought emerges, this paper finally illuminates a research approach to the history of regulation economics thought in ancient China.