Imperial Chinese diplomacy could frame foreign relations as tribute to the Middle Kingdom, which makes its terminology important when interpreting historical records. The panel distinguishes those formulas from actual political incorporation. Its examples include reported tribute relationships involving Okinawa and parts of Hokkaido, rather than a claim about all of Japan. Such local relationships do not establish that Japan as a whole formed part of the Chinese state. The discussion recommends reading across the volumes of the Cambridge History of China while acknowledging that the account is not perfect.
Notable Point · 1:12:31-1:14:28
Tributary diplomacy did not make Japan part of China
The panel separates Chinese diplomatic formulas, local tribute relationships in Okinawa and Hokkaido, and political incorporation of Japan.