Kangxi emperor

or K'ang-hsi emperor

born May 4, 1654, Beijing, China

died Dec. 20, 1722, Beijing

Second emperor of the Qing dynasty.

His personal name was Xuanye. One of China's most capable rulers, Kangxi (r. 1661–1722 ) laid the foundation for a long period of political stability and prosperity. Under his reign, the Treaty of Nerchinsk was signed with Russia, parts of Outer Mongolia were added to China's territory, and control was extended over Tibet. Domestically, Kangxi's reign was a time of large-scale public works, such as repairing the Grand Canal to permit transportation of rice to feed the northern population, and dredging and banking the Huang He (Yellow River) to prevent destructive flooding. Kangxi reduced taxes many times and opened four ports to foreign ships for trade. Though an ardent proponent of Neo-Confucianism, he also welcomed Jesuit missionaries, whose accomplishments led him to permit the propagation of Roman Catholicism in China. He commissioned many books, including the Kangxi dictionary and a history of the Ming dynasty. See also Dga'l-dan; Manchu; Qianlong emperor.

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