Content of Emperor Kang-xi’s Edict:

After reading this (Pope Clement XI’s) proclamation, I have concluded that the Westerners are petty indeed, for how could they understand matters the way we do in China. Furthermore, there is not a single Westerner fluent in Chinese literature, what they say and discuss, most are ridiculous. After looking through the proclamation brought over by the envoy, their religion is really no different from the extremist sects of Buddhism and Daoism. In terms of speaking nonsense, it does not go beyond this. From now on, Westerner are forbidden from preaching religion in China, to avoid further trouble.

Content of Emperor Kang-xi’s Edict in Chinese:

览此条约，只可说得西洋等小人如何言得中国之大理。况西洋等人无一通汉书者，说言议论，令人可笑者多。今见来臣条约，竟与和尚道士异端小教相同。彼此乱言者，莫过如此。以后不必西洋人在中国行教，禁止可也，免得多事。钦此。