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Understanding China :
The Land of The Dragon

China has a long and rich history and culture, which has had a profound impact on the development of the country. By studying Chinese culture and civilisation, we can better understand the Chinese people and their way of life.

China Map

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Understanding China Through
The Letters of Early Jesuit Missionaries

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The Jesuits missions in China, spanning the 16th to 17th centuries, played a pivotal role in bridging Chinese and Western realms. Led by luminaries like Matteo Ricci, these Jesuits introduced Western knowledge, science, and culture to China. Their engagement with the Chinese imperial court fostered rich intercultural dialogues, particularly with Confucian scholars. At the height of their influence, Jesuit delegates held esteemed positions in the imperial government, earning the trust of the emperor.

This period witnessed a remarkable influx of Chinese converts to Christianity, including former Confucian scholars. Over this span, 920 Jesuits, predominantly Portuguese and French, participated in the China mission. By 1901, China boasted over 720,490 Roman Catholics, marking a substantial growth from 240,000 in 1844. The legacy of these Jesuit priests, both Western and Chinese, endures, with many resting in the cemetery, now part of the Beijing Municipal Committee School, including revered figures like Ferdinand Verbiest, Matteo Ricci, and Johann Adam Schall von Bell.

In 1552, Jesuits, led by St. Francis Xavier, made their first attempt to reach China, but Xavier tragically died on the Chinese island of Schangchuan within a year, never reaching the mainland. However, in 1582, Jesuits returned, spearheaded by figures like Matteo Ricci. They introduced Western science, mathematics, astronomy, and the arts to the Chinese imperial court while engaging in profound intercultural and philosophical dialogues, especially with Confucian scholars. At their zenith, Jesuit delegates held prestigious roles in the imperial government, gaining the emperor's trust. This mission had a lasting impact, with many Chinese, including former Confucian scholars, embracing Christianity and joining the Society of Jesus.

Francis Xavier & Matteo Ricci

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Chinese Family Values

The Chinese traditional cultural values of harmony, benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, honesty, loyalty, and filial piety are embodied in China's diplomacy through the concept of harmony, the most important Chinese traditional value.

Chinese culture: five blessings, also known as the "Five Happiness" or "Five Good Fortunes", which refer to longevity, wealth, health and composure, love of virtue, and the desire to die a natural death in old age (or timely death).

Confucianism and Taoism (Daoism), later joined by Buddhism, constitute the "three teachings" that have shaped Chinese culture. There are no clear boundaries between these intertwined religious systems, which do not claim to be exclusive, and elements of each enrich popular or folk religion.

Contemporary Chinese cultures strives for harmony between humanity and nature, individuals and community, people of various groups, and body and mind. This means living a suitable and harmonious synchronisation of everything and complete unity.

Benevolence is another crucial characteristic widely respected by the Chinese, stemming from the significance of family ties and bloodline links. Although centered on familial connections, this benevolence spreads to friendships and social connections, providing a range of ethics like fairness, civility, knowledge, and many more. Righteousness is synonymous with fairness and truth. There are personal advantages to it and collaborative and welfare benefits. For example, if the nation is subjected to foreign aggression and dangers, the individuals should forcibly remove the invading forces and restore the Chinese society, openly carrying their weapons and fighting for the nation's greatness.

Courtesy emphasizes the importance of following the rules and avoiding wrongdoing. Rituals are important in ancient Chinese culture. There are particular customs for multiple events, like the monarch's offering to god, the ordinary folk's tribute to predecessors, marriages, burials, and respectful trades.

Wisdom needs the ability to discriminate between good and evil, position skilled people in appropriate positions, understand themselves, and be creative. They must be wise and clever to suppress bad and encourage goodness.

Honesty is synonymous with dependability, ethics, and reliability. The Chinese place a high priority on honesty as a social trait. Many Confucian merchants the earlier focused on integrity in running businesses and developing brands.

Loyalty emphasizes duty to the country, which is a feeling and a virtue that develops from family links and signifies that in a foreign attack, people should safeguard their country as they would defend their own homes.

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Learning more about China

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Know More About Other
Jesuit Missionaries Countries Values

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Indian Family Values

In Indian culture, family values are often centered around the concept of "joint families," which refers to multiple generations living together in the same household. Family relationships are highly valued, and there is a strong emphasis on duty and obligation towards one's family members. However, there can also be significant differences in family values based on regional and religious differences within India.

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Japanese Family Values

In Japanese culture, family values are often built up on the concept of filial piety, which emphasizes respect for one's elders and a strong sense of duty and obligation towards one's family members. Family relationships are highly valued, and there is a strong emphasis on maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict within the family unit.

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