Globalization and Modernity: On the Bridgehead Status of Macau in the Early Cultural Exchange Between China and Europe

Late Ming dynasty is the early period of globalization, during which Macao became a significant bridge of cultural communication between China and Europe. Most Jesuit missionaries, such as Mattco Ricci (1552-1610) etc., began to study Chinese language and culture upon their arrival in Macao, and then got into the mainland of China, where they made great contribution to the exchange between China and Europe. When the situation became harsh, Macao became a haven for some missionaries and Chines Christians, which resulted in the minimization of conflict between both sides. With the case studies of Mattco Ricci, Alfonso Vagnone (1568-1610), Alvaro Semedo (1585-1658) and Pietro Zai (Cai Ruoxiang,1739-1806), this article aims at demonstrating the role that Macao played as a bridgehead in the early period of cultural communication between China and Europe.