A Study On Agriculutral Science And Culture Exchange Between China And Foreign Countries During Ming And Qing Dynasties

Ming and Qing Dynasties in China witness the transition from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture. During this period the history of agricultural development in China has a special significance. China introduced some of the new species, new technology and new knowledge from the West to transform traditional agriculture and improve production efficiency. During this period, the content of external exchanges, methods and characteristics is totally different from the previous dynasties. Chinese and foreign cultural and technological exchanges reversed. The exchange scale, the effects is unprecedented, so it is global and overall. The Chinese and Western culture are two different cultures, the development of western agricultural science and technology for the development of Chinese traditional agriculture energized.This article is from the perspective of agricultural history of Ming and Qing dynasties and foreign agricultural science and technology and cultural exchanges. The rough content as follows:Chapter I: Introduction. Mainly from foreign exchange of agricultural science and technology background to start with, it explains the purpose and significance of topics, status and progress, and the idea of this research, methods, and possible innovations.Chapter II: The Foundation and Background of Foreign Agricultural Science and Technology during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The cultural exchange is related to the period of the economic situation, social situation and the international situation. Ming and Qing Dynasties greatly improved the socio-economic level, the traditional agricultural science and technology has been developed to a peak. In spite of economic prosperity of the per capita living standard was not improved a lot. New food production had been offset by the increase in population, so the introduction of new species and advanced technology is imperative. At the same time, western countries started the industrial revolution and had a rapid economic growth. There were some twists and turns in China's foreign policies during this period, which still could not stop the conduct of foreign agricultural science and technology and cultural exchanges.Chapter III: The exchanges of technology and culture with East Asian countries. As a link, the Silk Road on land before Ming Dynasty had connected China and Western countries. In Ming and Qing Dynasties, as rapid development in economy, foreign trade had gained a great increase in Southern China. Maritime Silk Road has become increasingly important. Through the Silk Road, China traded with Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Africa and even European countries for technological and cultural exchanges. During this period, there were frequent communication among China, Japan and Korea. Tribute trade between China and the DPRK was still the mainstream, but private trade, such as mink, otter, pommel horse, and other agricultural products trade in the border was also very prosperous.Chapter IV: The introduction of American Crops. During this period, China had introduced a large number of high-yield crops such as corn, sweet potatoes, etc., also introduced many economic crops such as peanuts, cotton and tobacco, as well as some other crops. The introduction of these crops had changed the agricultural planting structure in China and food culture.Chapter V: Western agricultural science and technology and cultural exchanges. A large number of Western missionaries, mainly Jesuits, came to China to preach. They brought a lot of books, spread advanced western technology and culture. At the same time, China's traditional culture, such as tea culture, Confucianism had also spreaded to Europe. Western technology and cultural exchanges between China and European countries on the social, economic and cultural have had a significant impact.Chapter VI: The overall awareness. This period is the large-scale Sino-foreign cultural exchanges between agricultural science and technology introduction, such as the introduction of American crops, knowledge of Western culture, the introduction of new technology and so on, so has the characteristics of integrity and imported. China's economic development and culture, education, etc. were beneficial. But there are also shortcomings: not as Japan, industrial revolution didn't happen in China which was so called Joseph Needham. This is worthy of our modern reflection in order to get inspiration.