Three Pillars of Chinese Catholicism 圣教三柱石
（重定向自******zao）
Xú Guāngqǐ (徐光启, 1562–1633) of Shanghai, and Lǐ Zhīzǎo (李之藻, 1565 – November 1, 1630) and Yáng Tíngyún (杨廷筠, 1557–1627) both of Hangzhou, are known as the Three Great Pillars of Chinese Catholicism (圣教三柱石, literally the "Holy Religion's Three Pillar-Stones"). It is due to their combined efforts that Hangzhou and Shanghai became the centre of missionary activity in late Ming China. The three men shared an interest in Western science and mathematics, and it is probable that this was what first attracted them to the Jesuits responsible for their conversion.