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Xiè Bìzhèn was a [[Qing Dynasty]] official who traveled to the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] on a number of occasions in the 1640s-1660s, initially seeking to convince the kingdom to submit to Qing authority, and to swear off loyalty to the fallen [[Ming Dynasty]].

Xiè Bìzhèn was a [[Qing Dynasty]] official who traveled to the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] on a number of occasions in the 1640s-1660s, initially seeking to convince the kingdom to submit to Qing authority, and to swear off loyalty to the fallen [[Ming Dynasty]].

Xie's initial journeys to Ryûkyû took place beginning in [[1649]]. Another of his trips took place in [[1651]]. On each of these journeys, he traveled alongside [[Ryukyuan tribute missions to China]], serving as escort and interpreter, and not traveling to Ryûkyû separately; he also accompanied Ryukyuan missions within China on a number of occasions. Each time Xie presented requests (or demands) that Ryûkyû swear loyalty to the Qing, the Ryukyuan court delayed.

Xie's initial journeys to Ryûkyû took place in [[1649]], [[1651]], and [[1652]]. On each of these journeys, he traveled alongside [[Ryukyuan tribute missions to China]], serving as escort and interpreter, and not traveling to Ryûkyû separately; he also accompanied Ryukyuan missions within China on a number of occasions. Xie's first two trips were unsuccessful; he presented requests (or demands) that Ryûkyû swear loyalty to the Qing, but the Ryukyuan court delayed, through a variety of excuses and techniques. Finally, however, in [[1653]], they agreed to send a mission to [[Beijing]], to return the royal seal granted to Ryûkyû by the Ming court, and to make a formal request for royal investiture, and for a new, Qing, royal seal.

Some of these missions to Ryûkyû never managed to make it to Ryûkyû at all, as the East China Sea crossing was made difficult by [[Ming loyalists]] under [[Zheng Chenggong]] or his father [[Zheng Zhilong]]. One such mission was planned for [[1654]], and was led by [[Zhang Xueli]] and [[Wang Gai]], who were accompanied by Xie, along with [[Ma Zongyi]] and [[Cai Zuolong]]. However, the group only made it as far as [[Fuzhou]] before deciding not to risk the crossing.

The following year, in [[1654]], Xie made preparations to travel to Ryûkyû once again. He was to accompany a mission led by [[Zhang Xueli]] and [[Wang Gai]], along with [[Ma Zongyi]] and [[Cai Zuolong]]. However, the group only made it as far as [[Fuzhou]] before deciding not to risk the crossing, as [[Ming loyalists]] led by [[Zheng Zhilong]] and his son [[Zheng Chenggong]] prowled the East China Sea.

Once Ryûkyû finally declared its submission to Qing authority, Xie accompanied Zhang Xueli and Wang Gai on the [[1663]] [[Chinese investiture missions|investiture mission]] which formally marked the re-establishment of tributary/investiture relations between China and Ryûkyû.

Once Ryûkyû finally declared its submission to Qing authority, Xie accompanied Zhang Xueli and Wang Gai on the [[1663]] [[Chinese investiture missions|investiture mission]] which formally marked the re-establishment of tributary/investiture relations between China and Ryûkyû.

*Angela Schottenhammer, "The East Asian maritime world, 1400-1800: Its fabrics of power and dynamics of exchanges - China and her neighbors." in Schottenhammer (ed.) ''The East Asian maritime world, 1400-1800: Its fabrics of power and dynamics of exchanges''. Harrassowitz Verlag, 2007. pp45ff.

*Angela Schottenhammer, "The East Asian maritime world, 1400-1800: Its fabrics of power and dynamics of exchanges - China and her neighbors." in Schottenhammer (ed.) ''The East Asian maritime world, 1400-1800: Its fabrics of power and dynamics of exchanges''. Harrassowitz Verlag, 2007. pp45ff.

*Angela Schottenhammer, “Empire and Periphery? The Qing Empire’s Relations with Japan and the Ryūkyūs (1644–c. 1800), a Comparison.” ''The Medieval History Journal'' 16, no. 1 (April 1, 2013): 139-196.  

*Angela Schottenhammer, “Empire and Periphery? The Qing Empire’s Relations with Japan and the Ryūkyūs (1644–c. 1800), a Comparison.” ''The Medieval History Journal'' 16, no. 1 (April 1, 2013): 139-196.  

[[Category:Foreigners]]

[[Category:Foreigners]]

[[Category:Edo Period]]

[[Category:Edo Period]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]