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China and Japan
Europe came to know China more realistically and discovered the Japanese civilization thanks to Portugal.
Years: 1513 — 1557
Through the Portuguese voyages to the Far East, Europe came to know China more realistically and discovered the Japanese civilization.
The first Portuguese to reach China was Jorge Alvares in 1513. In the following years, eventful contacts were established with the Chinese until, in 1557, Portuguese presence in Macau was established. From then onwards, the city became an important center for the trade of silk and porcelain.
Japan was first visited by the Portuguese in 1543. Despite the enormous distance separating the Japanese archipelago from Portugal, Portuguese influence in that territory was considerable in several areas, namely language, religion, and trade.
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