Tributary

The important relationship between China and its neighboring countries in ancient history was called Tributary Relation. This thesis aims to analyze the Tributary Relation in the perspective of theory and practices.In terms of theory, this paper expatiates on the evolution of the implications of Tributary, and elaborates on the three main approaches relating to it. They were Wufu System, the Sino-barbarian Order Theory and Universal Empire System. These theories were based on the differences in various civilizations and emphasized on keeping them harmonious. Compared with the diplomacy of balance of power on international relation in modern western countries, Tributary Relation had its own values.In terms of practice, this thesis mentions two kinds of Tributary in ancient China. The first Kind is the typical Tributary Relation, taking Vietnam and Korea as examples. It was relevant to the tolerance and advanced nature in Chinese Civilization. The second Kind, in a broader sense, is an unusual type of Tributary Relation, which can be divided into four categories. To offer profits to the countries that paid tributes, Chinese Empire persisted in the policy of conciliation and giving back more benefit to them than what it got. It was for this reason that the Tributary System could last for a long time in history.