Knowledge Transmission and Transformation of Chinese Architecture by Expatriates and Missionaries in Late Qing English and Chinese Newspapers

Expatriates and missionaries in China played a significant role in the development and transformation of Chinese architecture in the Late Qing period. However, a systematic comparison of their discourses and proposals on Chinese architecture has been hindered by a lack of historical literature and t...

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Main Author: Mingqi Lu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Religions
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/7/926
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author Mingqi Lu
author_facet Mingqi Lu
author_sort Mingqi Lu
collection DOAJ
description Expatriates and missionaries in China played a significant role in the development and transformation of Chinese architecture in the Late Qing period. However, a systematic comparison of their discourses and proposals on Chinese architecture has been hindered by a lack of historical literature and the complexities of fragmented data and methodologies. This article examines and compares the two most influential non-native newspapers: <i>The North-China Daily News</i> in English, edited by expatriates, and <i>The Review of the Times</i> in Chinese, founded by missionaries. By analyzing these two groups’ discourses and narratives on Chinese architecture, the study explores their similarities and distinctions, revealing the characteristics, strategies, attitudes, interests, and opinions of expatriates, missionaries, and non-missionaries in China on the transmission and transformation of architecture knowledge. The research highlights differences in their preferences for specific text types, subjects, and themes on Chinese architecture, as well as their attitudes toward native and foreign architecture, professional education, and architecture regulations in individual and official spheres. Despite these differences, overlapping characteristics and proposals existed among the three groups. The study further investigates the underlying reasons and mechanisms for their similar or divergent mindsets and behavioral patterns, drawing on human responsive psychology rather than relying on postcolonial or cultural theories.
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spelling doaj-art-c61e0432a8c74eb78a2ae9c9bee4ad9c2025-08-20T03:56:49ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-07-0116792610.3390/rel16070926Knowledge Transmission and Transformation of Chinese Architecture by Expatriates and Missionaries in Late Qing English and Chinese NewspapersMingqi Lu0School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, ChinaExpatriates and missionaries in China played a significant role in the development and transformation of Chinese architecture in the Late Qing period. However, a systematic comparison of their discourses and proposals on Chinese architecture has been hindered by a lack of historical literature and the complexities of fragmented data and methodologies. This article examines and compares the two most influential non-native newspapers: <i>The North-China Daily News</i> in English, edited by expatriates, and <i>The Review of the Times</i> in Chinese, founded by missionaries. By analyzing these two groups’ discourses and narratives on Chinese architecture, the study explores their similarities and distinctions, revealing the characteristics, strategies, attitudes, interests, and opinions of expatriates, missionaries, and non-missionaries in China on the transmission and transformation of architecture knowledge. The research highlights differences in their preferences for specific text types, subjects, and themes on Chinese architecture, as well as their attitudes toward native and foreign architecture, professional education, and architecture regulations in individual and official spheres. Despite these differences, overlapping characteristics and proposals existed among the three groups. The study further investigates the underlying reasons and mechanisms for their similar or divergent mindsets and behavioral patterns, drawing on human responsive psychology rather than relying on postcolonial or cultural theories.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/7/926Late Qing ChinaChinese architectureChristian missionariesdiscoursetransmissiontransformation
spellingShingle Mingqi Lu
Knowledge Transmission and Transformation of Chinese Architecture by Expatriates and Missionaries in Late Qing English and Chinese Newspapers
Religions
Late Qing China
Chinese architecture
Christian missionaries
discourse
transmission
transformation
title Knowledge Transmission and Transformation of Chinese Architecture by Expatriates and Missionaries in Late Qing English and Chinese Newspapers
title_full Knowledge Transmission and Transformation of Chinese Architecture by Expatriates and Missionaries in Late Qing English and Chinese Newspapers
title_fullStr Knowledge Transmission and Transformation of Chinese Architecture by Expatriates and Missionaries in Late Qing English and Chinese Newspapers
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge Transmission and Transformation of Chinese Architecture by Expatriates and Missionaries in Late Qing English and Chinese Newspapers
title_short Knowledge Transmission and Transformation of Chinese Architecture by Expatriates and Missionaries in Late Qing English and Chinese Newspapers
title_sort knowledge transmission and transformation of chinese architecture by expatriates and missionaries in late qing english and chinese newspapers
topic Late Qing China
Chinese architecture
Christian missionaries
discourse
transmission
transformation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/7/926
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