A Research On The Intercourse Between The Early Ming Dynasty And The Nations In Central And Western Asia

This present thesis mainly studies the international communication of the early Ming Dynasty with different countries of central and western Asia, the communication in which the Ming Dynasty played the leading role. Since study of history can provide some successful experience for the modern times and help people recognize the disadvantage in history, the study in this thesis will be of realistic significance .The thesis consists of seven parts. Part one is preface, in which the limits of central and western Asia are discriminated respectively, and then it is pointed out that the interaction of the early Ming Dynasty of china with the countries in central and western Asia is a continuation and development of the relationship between nations of central and western Asia and the Yuan Dynasty(1271-1368) established by the Mongolians.Part two presents the reasons for the frequent communication between the Ming Dynasty and the nations of central and western Asia, with respects to the domestic situation of the Ming Dynasty, the domestic situation of the nations in central and western Asia, and the outer pressure that all the nations concerned bore.Part three expounds the political intercourse between the Ming Dynasty and the nations in central and western Asia. In fact, the nations in central and western Asia paid "Tribute" to the rulers of the Ming Dynasty , which is really a brilliant page in the diplomatic history of the Ming Dynasty of china.Part four is the main part of this present thesis, discussing the economic and trade communication of the Ming Dynasty and the nations in central and western Asia , in terms of "Tribute-paying" and "Reward-granting", and "Reciprocal trade". Also, the features of the "Tribute-Reward" trade are given.Part five verifies the land and sea routes, by which the Ming Dynasty and the nations of central and western Asia communicated . It is also held that the sea routes were regular while the land routes, complicated as it was, played a vital role in history.Part six provides an evaluation, positive and negative , of the interaction of the Ming Dynasty and the nations of central and western Asia. The positive aspect of the evaluation takes the leading place, and the friendly relationship between the Ming Dynasty and the nations concerned has always been the mainstream in their international communication in that age.Part seven, as an appendix, outlines the diplomatic trip of Chen Cheng , who was a traveler in the Ming Dynasty, the main contents of the trip to The Western Regions written by Chen Cheng and the value of as historical records.