China during the early Ming Dynasty was one of the world's most powerful nations. The relatively stable political situation provided a strong foundation for the development of all aspects of society. In the agricultural sector, technological levels and productive capacity far outstripped the achievements of previous dynasties, freeing up large amounts of labor which in turn promoted the growth of the handicraft and mercantile sectors. Trade and markets boomed, giving rise to a rudimentary form of early capitalism.

　　The Ming Dynasty engaged in extensive exchange with other countries. Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit priest, arrived in China during the late Ming Dynasty, initiating the spread of Western learning throughout China and the merging of Chinese and Western science and technology. From this time on, the Chinese people's knowledge of the outside world started to expand. The Ming Dynasty was highly advanced in the areas of philosophy, literature, and the arts. Great achievements were also made in the sciences, including astronomy, mathematics, agriculture, medicine, and geography. Qinghua (blue and white) porcelain, as well as porcelain produced by the Xuande imperial kilns, were among the highly collectible items manufactured during this period.