How did China under the Qing and Japan Tokugawa respond to European explorers?

Both China and Japan under the Qing and Tokugawa shogunates, respectively, responded to European explorers with varying degrees of isolationism and limited engagement.

China (Qing Dynasty)

- Kangxi Emperor (1661-1722): Initially welcomed Jesuit missionaries and allowed some European trade. However, he later imposed restrictions on missionary activities, fearing their political influence.

- Qianlong Emperor (1735-1796): Pursued a more isolationist policy, seeing no benefit in trade with Europeans and fearing their cultural and religious influence. Limited trade was permitted only at the port of Canton (Guangzhou) under strict Chinese control.

Japan (Tokugawa Shogunate)

- Sakoku Policy: Instituted in the early 17th century, this policy meant "closed country" and severely restricted contact with foreigners. Japan closed all its ports to foreign ships, except for limited trade with the Dutch at the port of Nagasaki and the Chinese in Nagasaki and Hirado.

- Dutch Enclave in Dejima, Nagasaki: The Dutch were confined to a small artificial island in Nagasaki, where they could conduct trade but had minimal contact with the Japanese population.

As a result of these policies, both Qing China and Tokugawa Japan maintained a state of relative isolation from the West for a considerable period. This allowed them to preserve their traditional social, cultural, and political systems for a longer time compared to other Asian regions that were more open to European influence.