Tian-xia,Tributary,Empire: The Ancient Chinese Foreign Relations Model Of Comparison

To ancient Chinese foreign relations, we can summed up three models: the Tianxia, theTributary and the Empire. Three models have different characteristics. Tianxia model hasthe overall view of the world, the world as an inseparable whole,"to the world view of theworld";"no outside Principles", is only temporary, and no absolute enemy;"The ritual notto teach" principle. Tributary model has a system of relative closeness, of all ethnic groupsand relative inequality between nations, the frontier relative clarity etc. Characteristics.Empire model with the openness of the system, the frontiers and volatility, regional ornational inequality between, for was vassal discriminatory and other features.By comparing three foreign relations models,we found that the purpose of using thesethree models are the same:guarantee the survival of dynasty and consolidated.But at thesame time these three models and has significant differences.The first is differentstrategy.The world pattern has taken strategy can be summarized as:"cosmopolitanism",namely by maintaining order and stability to maintain the stability of the frontier area anddomestic order;Tributary model strategy can be summarized as:"the HuaXia inside andoutside the YIDE", namely the harmony through and the surrounding was vassal ofrecognition to containment and turmoil minority regime of control in the border areas, andto maintain the stability of the domestic order.Empire mode taken by the strategy can besummarized as:"foreign speakers", namely of the peripheral was vassal and minority byforce means conquering, forcing them to surrender or merger and its land for direct rule,with direct, persistent, concentration of political and military control, so as to achieve thegoal of survival and security maintenance dynasty.The second is focusing on the use ofdifferent means.Integrated use of moral codes adopt the mode of dynasty DeHua, marriage,material giving, war, especially Confucianism DeHua and marriage,in order to achieveusing "xia" style to change "yi" style;Using tribute mode dynasty will be comprehensive use material giving, war, Confucianism DeHua and tribute trade, but the most main meansof tribute trade and with the barbarians;Would also apply and adopts the model of theempire of the dynasty, material giving and measures of the war, but perhaps the most mainis the use of force to conquering.Once again reach effect is also different.Adopts the modelof the effect is stable domestic order, and the surrounding was vassal and ethnic relations,international prestige is very high; Using the effect of tributary mode is relatively stabledomestic order, and the surrounding was vassal and national relationship is not stable,relatively high international prestige. Adopt the empire mode is the effect of short termnational strength is powerful, border security, but often fight cause domestic empty,uprising, shortness of dynasty.From the comparison of three patterns we can get some beneficial enlightenment oncontemporary China’s diplomacy. First of all, in dealing with foreign relations in ancientChina, there are many positive and beneficial ideas for reference and absorption, such asnot to be outside the war as a dominant means, but expressed it as a means of political will;Pay more attention to rule the extension of time, and relatively less importance to theexpansion of the space on the territory. Second, there is no denying that the strength offoundational status, but at the same time not superstitious strength, especially about someof the idea of social Darwinism. Third, in dealings with foreign countries, we must insist onthe principle of equality and mutual benefit, and not just the pursuit of vanity. Fourth, thereal powers should have the consciousness of "the world".