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Matteo Ricci's Mission in Zhaoqing

Type Event Region East Asia Time 1583–1595

Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci established the first stable missionary base in inland China at Zhaoqing, Guangdong, from 1583 to 1589, learning Chinese,…

Timeline

  1. 1583Zhaoqing · GuangdongRicci and Ruggieri obtained permission from Zhaoqing prefect Wang Pan to enter the city, settled near Xianhua Temple, began systematically studying Chinese, and interacted with local gentry through Confucian rites.
  2. 1584–1589Xianhua Temple, Zhaoqing · GuangdongDuring his time in Zhaoqing, Ricci wore Confucian robes, studied the Four Books and Five Classics, drew a world map, and discussed learning with scholar-officials, laying the foundation for his 'accommodation to Confucianism' missionary strategy and Chinese-language writings.
  3. 1595Nanchang · JiangxiIn 1595, Ricci published his Chinese treatise On Friendship (Jiaoyou Lun) in Nanchang, bringing the Confucian discourse and Western knowledge he had acquired in Zhaoqing to the scholarly circles of Jiangnan, significantly expanding the influence of Western learning in China.

Sources