In the mid-19th Century , Xu Jiyu and his famous book Ying Huan Zhi Lue became a sign of China for the westerners who were trying to understand China. American missionaries Lyman B. Peet and Samuel Wells Williams published long reviews on this book with great remarks , contrasting sharply with Charles Gutzlaffps harsh critical review on Hai Guo Tu Zhi by Wei Yuan. Xu Jiyu used all the opportunities to consult westerners he had met about the geography and history of the world. In the meantime , westerners took Xu Jiyu and his Ying Huan Zhi Lue as a channel to explore Chinese culture. Xu Jiyu won Westernersp high praises because of his reasonable attitudes towards diplomatic affairs and his tolerance on the missionaries.