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December 11, 1866, following Prince Gong's opinion, the court established school of astronomy and mathematics in Tongwenguan. Western instructors were hired as the first step of self-strengthening. Astronomy is symbolical in Ancient China to learn from foreigners, including the cases of India, Muslim, and Jesuit. The late Qing is no exception. Regarding the early stage of the Western astronomy's introduction into China, you may refer to our research finding: Wang Ping, The Introduction of Western Astronomical and Mathematical Sciences into China.
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