Demand And Dependence: A Study Of The Maritime Trade Between Sulu And China In The Ming And Qing Dynasties

This thesis mainly studies the overseas trade between Sulu and China in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.The first chapter examines the background of trade,mainly combing the rise of Sulu and its historical contacts with China,with China’s overseas trade policy,especially the part related to Sulu during this period.The second chapter investigates the tribute trade between Sulu and China in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.During the two dynasties,Sulu sent many envoys to pay tribute to China,which was in the name of trade.Sulu’s essential purpose of tributary trade was to "ask for tariff relief and trade profits",which run through the whole tributary trade.However,during such specific historical period,Sulu’s activities also contained a strong political desire.On the other hand,the trade also expanded China’s influence in Southeast Asia to a certain extent.The third chapter is about the nongovernmental trade between Sulu and China in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.Compared with the official tribute trade,the nongovernmental trade started earlier,lasted longer and was more active.The Chinese market had a huge demand for all kinds of Southeast Asian native products exported from Sulu,while the Sulu market favored China’s porcelain and cloth.Beside this,huge profits also played an important role in the trade.The two-way demand brought interdependence of trade between the two countries.This relationship,as well as rich profits,making the nongovernmental trade between Sulu and China lasting and prosperous in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.The fourth chapter is about the traders between Sulu and China in Ming and Qing Dynasties.Chinese businessmen were the first group to engage in the trade between Sulu and China,which was also the most important group.Western businessmen often took part in the trade,with the support of the government and military forces,and there was much competition between them.With the development of the trade between Sulu and China,the local business forces and business networks in the Sulu area had been constantly growing.The above three commercial forces sometimes united and coexisted,and sometimes confronted each other.Nevertheless,whether their relations was interdependent or confrontational,they all influenced the development of trade between Sulu and China.Especially when we set our sights on the Sulu area,what we see is a complicated picture of changes in the trade pattern."Demand and dependence" had always been the main theme of the trade during the Ming and Qing Dynasties,which was also a common relationship between China and Southeast Asia during that time.By reviewing and sorting out such a trade relationship,this thesis provides an aspect of the trade relationship between China and Southeast Asia during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.