The Study On Sino-Italian Cultural Relations And Historical Enlightenment From 16～(th) To 18～(th) Century

With the coming of the Italian Jesuits, China and Italy began the first substantive contact and cultural exchanges in their histories at the end of the 16th century. It was these Italian Jesuits that created" the supreme example of cultural contacts between two major civilization " between China and Italy.To transmit Christianity was the original intention of the Jesuit headed by Michel Ruggieri and Matteo Ricci who came to China. However, different from Portugal's and Spanish's missionaries in China, the Italian missionaries influenced by Renaissance and humanism opened up the adaptive and academic way to preach . Therefore, while transmitting Christianity into China, they also introduced modern science and culture of Italy such as astronomy , geography , mathematics , water conservancy , music ,arts and so on to China. The input of heterogeneous culture had broadened Chinese outlook and enriched their knowledge. Especially geography, astronomy and mathematics made Ming and Qing Dynasties get a "fundamental convulsion in culture " and facilitated to break the traditional doctrine of"the centre of China". For gaining Roman's support of China's preach, the Jesuit had introduced Chinese culture to Italy while inputting western culture. Chinese culture such as ancient Confucian books, system , history and geography were recommended getting in Italy constantly, which made China become the imitated model of Italy in the 17th century. Meanwhile, because the new maritime route was discovered, the implements of China were transported to the west in a large amount. The exquisite implements and " perfect ethical philosophy " has evoked the"Chinoiserie"of Europe in the 18th century.The contact of heterogeneous culture would inevitably produce conflict. After Italy's culture came into China, the Chinese official, according to their own cultural training, experience in life and value orientation, has formed the agreed and the objected groups on treating the heterogeneous culture. Xu Guangqi and Li zhizao were the representative of the former. They showed great interests on Western culture especially Western science and technology, introduced and sucked them and made every effort to...