The recently published book, In the Eyes of the Other: Late Qing Missionaries to China and Fujianese Culture and Society, systematically explores the composition and characteristics of Fujianese social culture during the late Qing Dynasty from the perspective of Western missionaries.
This is the work of Dr. Wu Weiwei from Fujian Normal University, published by Taiwan's Wanjuanlou Publishing Company.
From an extensive and in-depth examination of Western literature, this book provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the writings and related literature by Western missionaries who came to China in the late Qing Dynasty to study Fujian society and culture. Utilizing theories and methods from disciplines such as history, religion, anthropology, comparative literature, imagology, orientalism, and intercultural communication, this book rigorously analyzes the structure and attributes of Fujian society and culture during the late Qing Dynasty as observed by Western missionaries.
The investigation delves into how these missionaries constructed the "Image of Fujian," examining the methods, forms, and distinct characteristics employed. Furthermore, the book elucidates the cultural viewpoints that influenced these missionaries' perceptions of Fujian society, exploring the underlying cultural factors that shaped their outlook. On the basis of a substantial amount of local Fujianese historical documents, the author analyzes the characteristics, values, and shortcomings of the missionaries’ writings on Fujian and other related documents and explores the impact of such literature on the Eastern and Western worlds.
Dr. Wu Weiwei is a native of Shunchang, Fujian. He is a doctoral supervisor of the Center for Studies of Fujian and Taiwan of the Fujian Normal University; he is also an Outstanding Young Backbone Teacher of the University. His main research interests include the local histories of Fujian and Taiwan, cross-strait culture, and East Asian maritime history.
- Translated by Joyce Leung
