Evolution of the ancient Chinese client-state policy

Author: Peng Jianying
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: The ancient Chinese tribute system was an important component of the traditional ethnic policies adopted by successive central dynasties toward neighboring ethnic groups. Based on the definition of the meaning of the traditional tribute system and an analysis of its historical roots, this book takes the strong feudal unified dynasties of Han, Tang, and Qing in ancient China as typical examples, providing a detailed and in-depth discussion of the main content, characteristics, and historical role of the traditional tribute system. It strives to grasp the evolutionary process and historical patterns of this policy system as a whole. The author points out that the development and evolution of ancient Chinese tribute system corresponded to the development and evolution of feudal society in China, generally undergoing a historical process from form to development, perfection, and eventual decline. At the end of the article, it also emphasizes that the traditional tribute system, as a part of China's historical heritage, has absorbed and learned from certain reasonable core values, which have been carried forward and developed in China's modern ethnic regional autonomy system. Of course, this is necessarily based on the establishment of a new unified multi-ethnic country and the emphasis on equal treatment of all ethnic groups in a new type of ethnic relationship, which is precisely the fundamental difference between modern ethnic regional autonomy systems and traditional tribute policies.