商业文明、世界知识与海洋秩序：反思多维视野下的马嘎尔尼使华事件研究

Abstract:Many debates have taken place since the publication of Professor Hevia’s Cherishing Men from Afar. Basing on the retrospection of the previous debates，this article intends to further explore the relevant issues of post-modernist approach on studies of history. It is not the intention of the author to deny Professor Hevia’s research. While admitting the great contributions of Hevia to the understanding of Chinese history in the Qianlong period，the author would like to discuss the significance of addressing the Macartney’s embassy to China from multiple-dimensional perspectives. Although the Cherishing Men from Afar adopted a post-modernist approach to history，it is still mainly centering on the elitist perspective of the state functionaries. At the same time，Hevia emphasized more on the power relationship in the text rather than the connection between representations and facts. In the final section，this article points to the possibility of criticism on any essentialist apprehension of Chinese history and civilization.

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