"Westward Spread of Eastern Learning"
Chinese and Western civilizations have enjoyed a long history of exchange which culminated in the 16th to 18th centuries when interactions and mutual influence became continuous on multiple fronts. They were characterized as "Eastward Spread of Western Learning" and "Westward Spread of Eastern Learning," the latter referring to the introduction of China's academic thought, system of rituals and laws, culture and art, and science and technology to the West.
Western missionaries who visited China acted as the main conduit of the "Westward Spread of Eastern Learning." They spread Chinese philosophies and culture to the West by translating Chinese classics and writing articles and books on China. For example, Matteo Ricci translated the Four Books compiled by scholar Zhu Xi into Latin. By the end of the 17th century, translations of scores of Chinese classics were circulating in Europe. Meanwhile, European scholars started publishing more writings about Chinese philosophies and culture. Those visiting China went out of their way to learn as much about it as possible. They wrote and sent to Europe glowing letters and reports on China's geography, society, and people. They portrayed China as an oriental power enviable for its vastness, abundance, prosperity, superior political system, happy and affluent people, and preeminent but rational civilization.
The accounts of the missionaries aroused a strong desire among European intellectuals to understand China and many even developed reverence for the rational civilization of China, prompting Enlightenment figures to engage in animated and extensive discussions about the country, eventually giving rise to sensational "Chinoiserie." China, a country with a vast territory, long history, and splendid culture, officially arrived in the headspace of Europeans. The "Westward Spread of Eastern Learning" catalyzed intellectual progress and provided important favorable conditions for social changes towards the end of the Middle Ages in Europe. Such developments speak volumes to the global significance of this wave of civilizational exchange.
“东学西渐”
中西方文明交流源远流长。16至18世纪，中西方文明开始了持续的、多方面的交往和相互影响，即“西学东渐”“东学西渐”。“东学西渐”，就是中国的学术思想、礼法制度、文化艺术、科学技术等传入西方。
来华的西方传教士成为当时“东学西渐”的主要承担者。他们通过翻译中国古代典籍，撰写有关中国的文章和书籍，将中国思想文化引介到西方。例如，16世纪利玛窦用拉丁文翻译朱熹《四书》，17世纪末数十种中国经典译本在 欧洲流行，同时，欧洲学者研究中国哲学文化的著作不断涌现。他们努力了解中国社会，在寄往欧洲的书信和报告中热情洋溢地介绍中国的地理、社会、民生。在他们的记述中， 中国地大物博、国力雄厚，政治制度优越，人民安乐富足， 是拥有强大的理性文明而备受艳羡的东方大国。
传教士们的记述激发了欧洲知识分子了解中国甚至崇尚中国理性文明的强烈渴望，引发了启蒙思想界关于中国的高度关注和广泛讨论，乃至“中国热”在欧洲的蓬勃兴起。一个有着辽阔国土、悠久历史、灿烂文化的中国正式进入欧洲人的视野，推动欧洲思想史的发展进程，为欧洲中世纪末期的社会变革提供了重要条件，展现出这一文明交流活动的世界性意义。
