China’s Contacts with the Outside World

Foreign Contacts Under the Tang Dynasty In the beginning, China welcomed foreign contact including Persia, Byzantine Empire, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and India. Toward the end of the Tang dynasty foreigners became less welcome in China. Chinese became resentful of Buddhist monasteries' wealth. The government in need of money began seizing property and persecuting Buddhists. Trade continued to flourish especially overseas trade.

Foreign Contacts Under the Mongols Trade expanded on Silk Road and at sea. Persians helped to develop a new calendar and hospitals and brought advances in architecture, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and water management. The capital was designed by Muslim architects. Marco Polo’s journal spurred trade bet. Europe and Asia. Foreigners like Marco Polo were given government positions and special treatment such as freedom to travel, no taxes, and were allowed to speak other languages. Chinese resented Mongols and foreigners.

Foreign Contacts Under the Ming Dynasty Chinese overthrew Mongols in 1368. Ming thought that all other countries should kowtow (acknowledge superiority of) to China. Chinese tributaries gave and received gifts and were given special trade status. From 1402 to 1434 Zheng He lead a massive fleet on expeditions west to display China’s power and collect tribute. He created 30 tributaries of China and he brought back precious cargo. After Zheng He’s death, the Ming forbade contact with the outside world. Scholar-officials persuaded the emperor to turn inward to protect its people. Ming dynasty ended in 1644.