SECTION 3
DIALOGUES BETWEEN COURTS
During the Kangxi period of the Qing dynasty, formal diplomatic relations were established between the Chinese court and the Portuguese royal family. Gifts exchanged between both sides served as material evidence of this cross-civilisational dialogue. Prior to the Qianlong reign, the Portuguese king sent envoys to China on five occasions. According to records, the items presented by the Portuguese envoys included not only weaponry such as pistols and swords, but also exquisite household items and luxurious artistic crafts. In return, the Qing court adhered to the diplomatic etiquette of ‘generosity in giving and modesty in receiving’, presenting the Portuguese envoys with an abundance of gifts. These items typically consisted of world-famous Chinese crafts alongside daily necessities such as porcelain, silk, and tea. They embodied the political, cultural, and economic exchanges, as well as interactions between the two courts across the ocean, reflecting deeper levels of communication.’
Portuguese missionaries serving in the Qing court played a crucial role in advancing Sino-Portuguese diplomatic relations. Portugal maintained a missionary presence, or Padroado rights, in the Far East since the 15th century. After the establishment of the Jesuit order, its development in the East was primarily supported by the Portuguese royal family. According to incomplete statistics, between the late 16th and 18th centuries, more than 60 Portuguese Jesuits came to China, serving as missionaries for over 20 years. Notable missionaries serving in the court, such as Gabriel de Magalhães, Félix da Rocha, José de Espinha, and Tomé Pereyra, made significant contributions in various fields, including calendar science, mechanical manufacturing, cartography, and court music.