Issued in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of Matteo Ricci's death in 1610.
"This work was published with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan)"--Title page verso.
Prefaces and introductions in English and Italian; the remaining contributions are in English.
Includes: Three documents written by Fr. Ricci (presented in facsimiles of the Italian originals, with English translations on facing pages); the report on Ricci's death written by Fr. Sebastiano de Ursis (facsimile of the Italian original, with English translation on facing pages); three "interpretative essays" in English.

"Extensive bibliography / by Edmund Ryden" (p. 215-439) is in English and Chinese.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-439).

Library copy lacks accompanying CD, a spoken-word sound recording in Chinese with the title: Matteo Ricci : radio drama in Chinese.

Preface -- Foreword / Gianfranco Ravasi ; Larry Yu-yaun Wang -- Introduction / Francois Xavier Dumortier -- I. Texts of Fr. Matteo Ricci. Tract on friendship : images of documents and translation -- A response to King Chiengan Chienzai -- Letter to Geronimo Costa -- Letter to Fr. Francesco Pasio -- The report on death of Matteo Ricci -- II. Interpretative essay[s]. Creative fidelity in inculturation / Christopher Shelke -- I am the friend and the friend is me / João J. Vila-Chã -- Keep to the method of Matteo Ricci : the Kangxi emperor and Catholic missionaries in China / Edmund Ryden -- Appendix. Letter to Clement XI -- Summons to the Westerners -- Essential chronology of Father Matteo Ricci.