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Abstract

CANTON CONFERENCE (1667-1668) IS REGARDED AS AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN CHINA. THE CONFERENCE WAS HELD BY MISSIONARIES FROM THREE RELIGIOUS ORDERS, NAMELY, THE JESUITS, DOMINICANS AND FRANCISCANS. TOGETHER THEY TRIED TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING COMMON TO STRIVE FOR THE PROSPERITY OF THE CHINA MISSION. IT IS TRUE THAT THE BACKGROUND AND ATMOSPHERE OF THE CONFERENCE WAS INFLUENCED AND OVERWHELMED BY THE RITES CONTROVERSY. HOWEVER, ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT PART THAT THE CONFERENCE COVERED, IN A LARGE PORTION, DEALT WITH WIDE PASTORAL ISSUES IN THE CONTEXT OF CHINESE SOCIETY. THE FORTY TWO ARTICLES IN THIS CONFERENCE DEMONSTRATE THE OPEN-MINDEDNESS AND A FAIRLY POSITIVE KNOWLEDGE OF AN APPROACH TO CHINESE CUSTOM. IN ADDITION, SOME RECOMMENDATIONS REMAIN OPEN TO FURTHER INQUIRES, IN THE SENSE THAT THEY WERE STILL FINDING A BETTER WAY TO COPE WITH THE INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS. ANALYSIS OF THE ARTICLES AS A WHOLE GIVES LIGHT TO VARIOUS ASPECTS OF MISSIONARY WORK AT THAT TIME BEYOND THE CONTROVERSIAL ARTICLE FORTY-FIRST.