在中美關係的早期歷史上，澳門具有舉足輕重的地位。澳門獨特的區位優勢，使之成為 美國與中國大陸之間經商和傳教等活動的中轉站、西學東漸的橋頭堡。在美國與清朝建立直接外交 關係後，澳門逐漸喪失其原有作用，經濟開始轉型，鴉片走私、苦力販運和博彩業等偏門產業迅速 發展。美國從苦力貿易和鴉片走私中獲利甚巨，後隨着形勢的發展，美國轉而與清政府合作，打擊 澳門的非法貿易活動。另一方面，美國基督教傳教士則通過開辦印刷所、出版翻譯書刊、設立醫 館、興辦教育等手段，以達到傳教之目的，澳門也因此成為中西文化交流的中心之一。

In the early history of the relationship between China and America, Macau was in an important place. With unique geographical advantage, Macau became the intermediary of the activities including business and missionary work between America and China and the forerunner of the westernization movement. After the establishment of China ’s diplomatic relations with America, Macau started to lose its advantage and develop other industries including opium smuggling, labor trafficking and gaming. America gained huge profits from labor and opium trading. But things changed later, America turned to join the government in attacking Macau ’s illegal trading. On the other hand, the American missionaries fulfilled their purpose of missionizing through opening printing offices, publishing translated books, establishing hospitals and revitalizing education. Macau thereby became one of the centers of cultural exchanges between China and the West.