China's ancient foreign diplomacy.

Ancient Diplomatic Etiquette The ancient Chinese in China established a powerful slavery country very early. Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties were in the leading position of social and economic development among East Asian nationalities at that time. Rulers of past dynasties called small countries of different nationalities vassals and vassals, and did not form the concept of equal exchanges with foreign countries for a long time. It was not until the Qianlong period that Margaret, the British envoy, insisted on refusing to kneel when King (the monarch) met the Qing emperor and curtseyed instead, which broke this obvious inequality. In Zhou Li, there is a "Fangfang" position, which is equivalent to today's protocol department. Responsible for receiving the governors and envoys of the Zhou Dynasty and the leaders and envoys of remote barbarian countries. The duty of "Huai Fang's family" is to receive such shameful "people from afar", help them to handle the affairs of paying tribute to the Zhou Dynasty, and greet the guests, distribute banners, provide them with daily necessities, and arrange accommodation and food. There are still parties, etc. Being in the same position as Huai Fang can be said to be the earliest official in charge of "Westernization" in China. So, from the beginning, the rulers of China regarded the communication with foreign heads of state or envoys as one thing and attached great importance to it. According to the literature, the main procedure of diplomatic etiquette is: 1. Working in the suburbs. When a country's princes, princes, or his envoys arrive at the Ji border (near the ancient capital of China), King Zhou will send officials to meet them and exchange gifts (jade and silk) to show respect and friendship. Second, give up. That is to send someone to welcome guests into the hotel in the city. At this time, some relevant officials will hold a banquet to entertain guests and understand their hopes and demands. Third, the dynasty. First, the date of reception was set by Zhou Wang. On that day, the guests first waited outside the Zhou royal ancestral hall by car. After informing Zhou Wang, Zhou Wang said, "I am very happy. I want to receive guests." So the guests entered the right door, presented Zhou Wang with a laurel (a kind of jade taken by ancient emperors at the ceremony, below the upper circle), and bowed down. Fourth, enjoy preferential treatment. After the pilgrimage, the guests presented Zhou Wang with jade and horses. Fifth, repent. This is the etiquette when the vassal or vassal is present, that is, after enjoying the sacrifice, the vassal or vassal should show his right arm to show "guilt". Zhou Wang appeased: "You are all well, go back and run the country well!" 6. "Gifts such as car clothes. After the audience, Zhou Wang sent someone to present the guests with horses and chariots, clothes and food. In addition, officials will continue to entertain guests until they are sent out of the mountain. The funeral of vassal States and the ceremony of sending envoys to hire foreign governors in later generations were generally born out of the pre-Qin period. For example, it is stipulated in the "Five Gifts and New Instruments" of the Song Huizong Special Administrative Council and the Central Committee that whenever the host of that country comes to North Korea, he will send a special envoy to meet him. The host of the vassal state gave the emissary a bundle of silks and bowed repeatedly at the same time, and then the emperor agreed to the date of the interview. When the court was in session, officials of civil and military affairs stood in the palace, and the vassal state led the accompanying officials from the secretary (protocol officer) to the palace. After the emperor boarded the imperial couch, the officials led the kings of the vassal States to his royal highness. At this time, after the herald ordered all officials to "worship again", the vassal state Lord could sit down and announce his name (called "the minister of a country"). When the emperor met with the blogger, the princes kept saying "Long live" and played "Dance of the Four Foreigners to the King". From now on, all this etiquette seems to be an uneasy attitude towards the clan head. Actually, it's not. Judging from the history at that time, under normal circumstances, foreign heads of state came to China mainly to show their obedience to Emperor China. It was after the Opium War that China fully accepted the internationally accepted diplomatic concepts and diplomatic etiquette practices.