1. Confucian ideology: Qianlong was a devout follower of Confucianism, which emphasized the superiority of Chinese civilization and the importance of maintaining a harmonious social order. He saw foreign cultures, especially those from the West, as potentially disruptive to this order. He believed Chinese civilization to be more advanced and self-sufficient, with little need for foreign influences.
2. The Tributary System: The Qing Dynasty operated under a tributary system, where foreign countries acknowledged China's supremacy and paid tribute to the emperor. This system reinforced the idea that China was the center of the world and had little need to engage with other cultures on equal terms.
3. Fear of cultural contamination: Qianlong worried that extensive interaction with British culture could undermine traditional Chinese values and customs. He saw the British as a threat to the stability of his empire and was particularly wary of their growing commercial influence and missionary activities.
4. Pragmatic considerations: Despite his reservations, Qianlong also understood the value of trade with Britain. He was willing to engage with the British on his own terms, allowing them to trade at specific ports but limiting their access to the interior of China. This approach allowed him to maintain control and limit cultural exchange.
5. The Macartney Mission: The visit of the Macartney Mission in 1793 further solidified Qianlong's reservations. While the mission was initially met with curiosity and ceremony, its demands for trade concessions and diplomatic recognition on an equal footing were seen as a challenge to Chinese authority. This ultimately led to Qianlong's refusal to accept the mission's demands and his determination to limit the British presence in China.
In short, Qianlong's reservations about mixing Chinese and British cultures were rooted in a combination of Confucian ideology, the tributary system, fear of cultural contamination, pragmatic considerations, and the contentious Macartney Mission. He believed that China was a superior civilization with little to gain from foreign influence, and he was determined to maintain Chinese cultural identity and dominance.