Dominican Missionary Strategies in Ming and Qing China

Abstract

This chapter delves into the strategies employed by the Dominican Order in their missionary activities within the Ming and Qing dynasties of China. It underscores their initiatives to weave Western religious doctrines into the Chinese spiritual landscape, representing an early form of religious and cultural diplomacy. The engagement of the Order with local communities, their linguistic accomplishment, and their active involvement in the socio-political spheres of the region are explored in depth. Furthermore, the chapter scrutinized the social initiatives undertaken by the Order, particularly in relation to child welfare, and evaluates their impact on the social fabric of the era. Through a comprehensive investigation of the influence exerted by the Dominican Order in China, this study unveils the multifaceted nature of cultural exchange, shedding light on the lasting effects of these historical interactions on Sino-Iberian relations and the evolution of soft power dynamics.