Complex sentence: Some would date its origins as far back as Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta in the 13th and 14th century, but the systematic study of China began in the 16th century, when missionaries, notably Matteo Ricci, introduced Christianity to China.
Split into simpler sentences: Some would date its origins as far back as Marco Polo in the 13th century. The systematic study of China began in the 16th century, when missionaries, notably Matteo Ricci, introduced Christianity to China.