The First Christian Missionaries to China: Dutch Rule in Formosa

5. Conclusions
The information provided above signifies that the Dutch did not intend
Formosa to be their first choice for settlement. Basically, it was chosen simply to maintain trade contacts with the Japanese and to establish themselves someplace safe – out of the Portuguese zone, since the Portuguese turned out to be tougher opponents than expected in defending their positions in Macao. Also as soon as Japan prohibited Christianity, the Dutch missionaries were immediately instructed to stop actively spreading Christianity. This fact clearly proves, that, in fact, trade with the Japanese was the first priority to the Dutch and a settlement in Asia was absolutely essential for them.
Also we cannot talk about a dialogue between the West and the East if we take
as an example the Dutch Christian missions in Forsmosa. Unlike the Jesuits who were interested in acquiring the Chinese sciences as well and introducing them in Europe, this was not the point of interest for the Dutch. A dialogue can be carried out only between equal sides, which also have an equal amount of interest in each other. In this case, the Dutch considered themselves to be „gifted with a far higher degree of knowledge and understanding”20, which automatically means, that their settlement was based on imposing their truths without listening to what the native inhabitants have to say.
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