Periodization, Features and Historical Roles of the Cultural Exchnange Between China and the West in the Transitional Period from Ming to Qing Dynasties

The cultural exchange between China and the West in the Ming_Qing transitional period was chiefly bridged and carried by missionaries, and it falls into 3 periods:1582-1644 signifies its initiation and development; 1644-1722 marks its prosperity; and 1723-1795 records its decline. This cultural exchange was bilateral on the basis of equality, producing a profound impact on the development of Chinese society as well as promoting an all_round understanding of China by the European people.