Diplomacy and Trade in the Chinese World, 589-1276

Book excerpt: Covering the period from the establishment of Sui to the fall of Southern Sung, this reference work for the first time gives a full and conveniently arrranged overview of China’s diplomatic and trade relations with its major and minor Asian neighbours: continental South Asia and the islands, Japan, Korea, Northeast Asia, Tibet, Central Asia, West Asia, the Middle East, and the Hsia, Liao, and Chin States. Basing himself on his yearlong research of Chinese offical histories and historical compendia, the author offers a wealth of detailed information - in translation - on matters such as the goods exchanged, the negotiations for peace and alliances, special missions required by diplomatic etiquette, foreign requests for marriage with Chinese princesses, etc. Special emphasis is given to the meaning of the so-called “tribute missions”, in reality a disguised form of trade.