Changes

The [[Sinocentric world order]] and system of tributary relations was, in theory, in place from as early as the [[Han Dynasty]] (206 BCE - 220 CE) until the late [[Qing Dynasty]] (1644-1911), but was strongest in the early Ming Dynasty, i.e. from [[1368]] until sometime around 1550. As [[Angela Schottenhammer]] explains, prior to the Ming dynasty, the Sino-centric worldview and tribute system were more a claim than a reality, and after the 1550s or so, Chinese maritime/economic power weakened.<ref>Schottenhammer. pp7-8.</ref>

The [[Sinocentric world order]] and system of tributary relations was, in theory, in place from as early as the [[Han Dynasty]] (206 BCE - 220 CE) until the late [[Qing Dynasty]] (1644-1911), but was strongest in the early Ming Dynasty, i.e. from [[1368]] until sometime around 1550. As [[Angela Schottenhammer]] explains, prior to the Ming dynasty, the Sino-centric worldview and tribute system were more a claim than a reality, and after the 1550s or so, Chinese maritime/economic power weakened.<ref>Schottenhammer. pp7-8.</ref>

Ming China regarded Korea, Japan, and Ryûkyû (through which it obtained access to Southeast Asian goods) as its most important tributaries, and categorized all of its tributary states into six categories:

Ming China regarded Korea and Ryûkyû as its first and second most important tributaries, respectively, followed by Japan, Burma, and Annam,<ref>Schottenhammer, Angela. “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): 175n97.</ref> and categorized all of its tributary states into six categories:

*(1) The first category included 18 East and Southeast Asian polities, including Korea, Japan, Ryûkyû, Annam, Champa, Cambodia, Thailand, and Java.

*(1) The first category included 18 East and Southeast Asian polities, including Korea, Japan, Ryûkyû, Annam, Champa, Cambodia, Thailand, and Java.

*(2) The second category included the remaining Southeast Asian polities, especially island polities such as those in the modern-day Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.

*(2) The second category included the remaining Southeast Asian polities, especially island polities such as those in the modern-day Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.