The Chinese tributary system was the system through which Imperial China conducted foreign relations with other nations.
Structure
editIt rested upon the basic assumption, held as early as the Shang Dynasty, that Chinese civilization, particularly its Confucian ethics and writing system, was superior to the "barbarians" outside of it.[1] Therefore, barbarians who wished to join civilization were required to recognize the Chinese emperor as the supreme ruler of all mankind. Representatives of foreign countries acknowledged this relationship by bringing local produce as a tribute, and in turn receiving an official seal from the emperor.<ref>Fairbank and Teng (1941), 138-139.
References
edit- ^ Fairbank, J. K., S. Y. Teng (1941). "On The Ch'ing Tributary System". Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies. 6 (2): 137-138.
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