Kangxi’s Red Tickets: Jesuits, Diplomacy, and Sino-Western Encounters

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Kangxi’s Red Tickets, a historical mystery that unveils the Qing dynasty's early engagement with globalization. Based on an enthralling book launch, we discuss the red tickets issued by Emperor Kangxi in 1716—imperial decrees sent to Europe in search of Jesuit envoys who had vanished. Explore how Jesuit missionaries became trusted envoys of the Qing court, their role in diplomacy, and the cultural collisions their work entailed. The episode highlights the author's journey from academic research to accessible storytelling, offering fresh perspectives on Sino-Western interactions and challenging long-standing myths about China’s historical engagement with the world. Kangxi red tickets Qing dynasty history Jesuit missionaries in China Sino-Western cultural exchange Chinese globalization Jesuit diplomacy in the Qing court Emperor Kangxi and Jesuit envoys Qing dynasty red ticket mystery Sino-European historical interactions Missionaries and Qing politics Kangxi’s 1716 red tickets to Europe Jesuit envoys and Kangxi imperial decrees Missionary role in early Qing globalization Challenges to the “closed-door policy” narrative Cultural collisions in Qing-era diplomacy Sun Litian 孙立天