The Confucian Cultural Factors Behind The Zongfan System

The suzerain-vassal system between China and other Asian countries is one ofthe most important political systems in the ancient China. The Suzerain-vassal systemincludes the identity relation in the outlook of value, the suzerain and vassals relationin politics, the tributary relation in economy, the Chinese-barbarian order in cultureand the attachment-competition in military, which are based on the Confucianthoughts such as the idea of great unification, the sense of hierarchy, the concept ofjustice and benefit, the cognition of difference between the Chinese and barbariansand the political thoughts of the rule of virtue. Because of these Confucian thoughts,the Suzerain-vassal system has the chances to be built and developed. In one word,the Confucian thought is a significant factor of the birth and growth of theSuzerain-vassal system between China and other Asian countries.