In 1603, the Chinese mandarin Xu Guangqi, following a meeting with the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, converted to Catholicism and was baptised as Paul. From the very beginning, he played a leading role in the development and spread of Christianity in the country, becoming a point of reference for both Chinese converts and European missionaries. He was known to the Jesuits as "Doctor Paul," and Ricci nicknamed him the "Pillar of the Chinese Mission." He was, in fact, an extremely cultured man, a great expert on the Confucian classics, and highly politically influential; over the years, he rose through the ranks of the administration, first as Minister of Rites and then as tutor to the heir to the throne, helping to introduce Christianity to the court. Xu Paul also distinguished himself by assisting European missionaries in translating numerous secular and religious works from Europe into Chinese. He himself wrote numerous texts on religion, politics, science, and technology. Xu Paul was in fact convinced that "Western studies" (xixue) or "celestial studies" (tianxue) (terms which referred not only to the Christian faith, but also to the scientific, astronomical, technological, and military knowledge brought to China by the Jesuits) would contribute to modernizing and strengthening the Chinese empire, then ruled by the Ming dynasty and in crisis under the attacks of the Manchus. In his writings, Xu attempted in particular to demonstrate the compatibility between Christianity and Confucianism, describing the former as a way to complement and perfect the latter: in his view, Christianity, like Confucianism, preached respect for authority, the pursuit of virtue, the moralization of the people, and filial piety. He, however, strongly criticised the numerous Buddhist doctrines and sects present in China, accusing the bonzes of moral corruption and arguing that, despite Buddhism having been widespread in China for over fourteen centuries, the people remained wicked and vicious. On the contrary, he presented a completely idealised and implausible image of European Christian societies and countries, claiming that, in countries where Christian law prevailed, there was no injustice or oppression, but rather harmony, brotherhood, and social peace reigned. The work of Xu Paul and other Chinese mandarins and scholars who converted to Catholicism, known as "Confucian Christians," contributed significantly to the first great cultural and scientific exchange between Europe and China.