The innovation of this dissertation is that 'Chinese pirates' and 'Sino-Iberian relations' are two elements that have been, to some extent neglected in previous studies, and their connection is studied in this dissertation.
History about Chinese pirates in the Ming Dynasty is often regarded as a part of domestic history in China. In past research, Chinese Pirates lacked a kind of international connection, while scholars paid more attention to the so-called 'Japanese pirates,' whose international elements have been widely recognized. Generally, the Sino-Portuguese and Sino-Spanish relations are studied separately. However, it is not conducive to understanding the Chinese attitude toward these two Catholic and Romance-languages-speaking nations from the same peninsula during the Ming Dynasty because they were collectively referred to as 'Fo Lang Ji' by the Ming Chinese. In this case, this term can be regarded as the Chinese counterpart to 'Iberians' in English during the Ming Dynasty. Hence, one nation's behaviour in the greater Iberian community would affect the Chinese attitude towards the other Iberian nation. This character is shown in the dissertation.
This dissertation's core question is: How did pirate groups led by Chinese heads influence the relations between the Iberian communities in the Far East and the Chinese Ming Dynasty from 1557 to 1583?
It divides into three minor questions according to the three stages of communication between the Chinese and Iberians: Firstly, what is the relation between 'piracy' defined by Ming central government and early Sino-Iberian military conflicts? Secondly, to enter China and stabilize its position in China, how would Iberians cooperate with the Chinese government by solving pirate-related problems? Finally, why Portuguese Macao and Spanish Manila had different results in diplomatic activities in China? Following the introductory chapter, each of the three chapters answers these minor questions step by step, and finally, demonstrates how Chinese pirates affect Sino-Iberian relations in the Far East.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Literature Review
1.3 Research Question
1.4 Methodology
Chapter 2: First-Comer’s Opportunity in Macao
2.1 Introduction
2.2 ‘Fo Lang Ji’: Negative and Positive Connotations
2.3 ‘The Emperor is far away’: Localism in Guangdong
2.4 Opportunities
Chapter 3: Late-Comer’s Failure in the Philippines
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Guangdong's Disaster but Macao’s opportunity
3.3 ‘Wokou’ in the South China Sea
Chapter 4: Unification in Peninsula, Disintegration in the Far East
Chapter 5: Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This dissertation investigates the neglected influence of Chinese pirate groups on Sino-Iberian relations in the Far East during the Ming Dynasty between 1557 and 1583. It seeks to understand how the definition of piracy by the Chinese government, coupled with the strategic responses of Portuguese and Spanish actors, shaped diplomatic and commercial interactions in the region.
- The impact of Chinese pirate activities on the diplomatic status of Iberian powers in Ming China.
- The divergence in the success of Portuguese Macao versus Spanish Manila in establishing relations with China.
- The role of "piracy" as a catalyst for cooperation and security-based regional dynamics.
- The influence of the Confucian tributary system on the Chinese perception of Catholic "conquistadores."
Excerpt from the Book
‘Fo Lang Ji’: Negative and Positive Connotations
Since the establishment of the Ming Dynasty in 1368, the strict policy of maritime bans (Haijin 海禁) had been carried out in coastal areas of China. For individuals, oversea ventures or trades with foreigners were forbidden. Zheng He’s seven voyages did not mean the end of the restriction, as the purpose was to enlarge the number of states in the tributary system through demonstrating the power of the ‘Celestial Empire’. The ‘Haijin’ policy and the tributary system, which were not the original creation of the Ming Dynasty but had a long history, were mutually coordinated.
Hamashita points out that for millenniums, as an extension of Chinese domestic politics in an international stage, the tributary system constituted an economic circle, where there were tribute trades. The essence of this form of trade, is the exchange between foreign tributes and Chinese gifts in return, which could be regarded as a kind of commercial trade. The tributary relationship was not absolutely based on the relationship between the suzerain and the vassal, as it had an important trade basis. However, because of the traditions of adopting autarkic peasant economy and physiocracy policy, Chinese central governments in pre-modern times had never put trade first.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter establishes the historical background of the Ming Dynasty’s interactions with early Portuguese arrivals and outlines the research question regarding the role of Chinese pirates in these relations.
Chapter 2: First-Comer’s Opportunity in Macao: This chapter analyzes how Portuguese traders transitioned from a negative image as "pirates" to valued security partners by assisting Guangdong authorities against pirate threats, ultimately securing a foothold in Macao.
Chapter 3: Late-Comer’s Failure in the Philippines: This chapter examines the unsuccessful attempts of the Spanish in the Philippines to secure diplomatic access to China and compares their struggles with piracy to the Portuguese experience.
Chapter 4: Unification in Peninsula, Disintegration in the Far East: This chapter explores the implications of the 1580 Iberian Union on local trade in the Far East and the efforts of Macao to maintain its independent trade relations with China.
Chapter 5: Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the research, concluding that Chinese pirates were a critical variable in shaping the different success trajectories of Portuguese and Spanish efforts to engage with the Ming Dynasty.
Keywords
Sino-Iberian relations, Ming Dynasty, Chinese pirates, Wokou, Portuguese Macao, Spanish Philippines, Tributary system, Maritime ban, Haijin, Conquistadores, Foreign trade, Diplomacy, East Asia, 1557-1583, Manila Galleon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary scope of this dissertation?
The dissertation explores the historical Sino-Iberian relations in the Far East from 1557 to 1583, specifically focusing on how Chinese pirate groups influenced the interactions between these European powers and the Ming Dynasty.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The main themes include the impact of piracy on international trade policy, the cultural and political differences between the Iberian and Chinese civilizations, and the strategic evolution of Portuguese and Spanish diplomatic methods.
What is the core research question?
The research asks how pirate groups led by Chinese heads influenced the relations between Iberian communities in the Far East and the Chinese Ming Dynasty during the defined time period.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The study utilizes a qualitative research methodology based on classical hermeneutics, analyzing Chinese ancient books, personal memoirs, and first-hand Spanish and Portuguese archival documents.
What is covered in the main body chapters?
The main body examines the evolution of the Portuguese settlement in Macao, the failures of the Spanish in the Philippines to emulate this success, and the impact of the 1580 Iberian unification on maritime trade dynamics.
Which key terms characterize this research?
Key terms include Sino-Iberian relations, Chinese pirates, tributary system, Macao, Philippines, and Haijin.
Why did the Spanish fail to enter China compared to the Portuguese?
The dissertation argues that the Portuguese arrived earlier, built a more nuanced understanding of Chinese local authority, and benefited from a superior geographical position for anti-piracy cooperation, whereas the Spanish lacked these advantages and were perceived as aggressive "conquistadores."
What role did piracy play in the development of Macao?
Suppressing pirates served as a "shortcut" for the Portuguese; by helping the Guangdong authorities against common enemies, they gained the trust necessary to establish a permanent and prosperous residence in Macao.
- Quote paper
- Enchen Lan (Author), 2020, Pirates, Conquistadores and Celestial Empire. A Historical Study on Sino-Iberian Relations in the Far East, Focusing on Chinese Pirates’ Influences (1557-1583), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/991976
