Ancient Chinese Relations With Sri Lanka

Based on the briefing of historical materials and studies on current conditions of Sino-Sri Lanka's relations, relying on systematically expounding the contact courses during the period of before the Tang Dynasty, Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties, this article concretely analyzes and discusses the mutuality of political contacts, economic relations and cultural exchanges. According to Sino-Foreign documentary records, the two countries have had intercourses since the beginning of the first century of the Han Dynasty. Contacts were quite frequent during the period of the Eastern Jin and Tang Dynasties and continuously developed during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. The relations of the two countries were even further deepened after Cheng Ho had seven voyages to the western seas during the Ming Dynasty. Close contacts between eminent monks, the interpretation of Confucian classics, etc. played an important role in developing of the political, economic, and cultural relation of the two countries.On the political field, the governments of the two nations have pushed Buddhist exchanges forward with an obvious political aim. During the period of the southern Song and Liang Dynasties, Sri Lanka sent two credentials to China with the objective of promoting Buddhism, developing a system to educate the masses, and finding ways to better administer the country. Since the Tang Dynasty, the two countries have continued to make official exchanges.On the economic field, a trade partnership was formed during the Tang Dynasty and trading has become increasingly prosperous. Sri Lanka exported gems, pearls, ivories, etc. to China and import silks and ceramics, copper coin, etc. from China.On the cultural field, Sri Lankan eminent monks and Confucian classics have an important effect on Chinese Buddhism. As for Chinese culture has a certain role in the development of Sri Lankan culture as well.The article also discusses about the reasons for frequent contacts between the two nations.