Retrospect of China-German cultural intercourse

The China-German cultural intercourse has experienced more than 500 years since Marco Polo visited China. It can be divided into five sessions of events: 'Enthusiasm for China' led by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz, the eastward introduction of the German culture by the missionaries and scholars; the participation of Chinese scholars and students in Germany in the cultural communication; the mutual cultural intercourse by 'Deutschland-Institut' and the official nongovernmental communication by the two countries since 1949. The essential cause of the long-term mutual communication of culture is the sincere admiration for the profound Chinese culture by the German people and the great esteem for the thoroughness of the German nation by the Chinese. Meanwhile, the difference of culture between the two nations has provided the necessary basis for the mutual communication, learning and appreciation.