The establishment of Macao as a special port city and ensuing debates

Abstract

澳门是中国最早对外开放的港口城市之一。但它如何在明朝中国的体制下开放 给葡萄牙人，其性质和作用如何，曾经引起朝野内外的争论，也经历了一个漫长的 演变过程，并最终得以发展成为一个商业城市。澳门港口城市早期形成、发展的特 殊政治环境、行政形态和社会生活经验，造就了澳门“和而不同，不同而和”的特 性和传统，承传数百年而生生不灭。 关键词: 澳门、 港口开放、 城市建立、 政治争论、 历史作用 Macao was one of the earliest port cities in China to be opened to foreigners; but how, under the institutions of Ming dynasty China, it should be opened to the Portuguese, and what its character and function should be, were subjects that triggered controversy both at court and among non‐officials. It was only after a lengthy process of evolution that Macao finally developed into a commercial city. The special political environment, administrative patterns and social experiences of early Macao created a unique character and tradition of “harmony amidst difference, and difference amidst harmony” that was maintained for centuries with undiminished vitality.