Jesuits in Chinese History

Although exchanges between China and Europe date back to the beginning of the Common Era, only with the establishment of Macau in the 16th. century is there a direct link between Europeans and the vast Chinese Empire.

Until now, Macau's role in Chinese history has generally been the object of research by scholars mainly interested in the history of the Jesuit missions or of the early maritime trade and commercial contacts with Asia. However, the field of cultural encounter in history remains largely unexplored.

The Institute encourages research and publication by Chinese and foreign scholars which contribute to uncover the little known history of such fecund intercultural exchange, whether centered in Macau or in China at large. Acknowledging that in these exchanges between the two cultures there were both successes and failures, it is, nonetheless, an undoubtedly precious historical heritage that can contribute, in our own time, to a better mutual understanding between East and West.