What are the types of relations between vassal states and suzerain states?

There is only one relationship between vassal states and suzerain states, but there are many types of eastern vassal states. For example, the vassal States of the Ming Dynasty can be divided into tributary States, vassal States, vassal States, slave-owning States, tributary States, curtain vassals, fan curtains and many other categories. The responsibilities and obligations performed by each vassal state are different, and we can't just pull away. By the Qing Dynasty, the types of vassal countries were greatly reduced, and they were only divided into three categories: tributary countries, vassal countries and subordinate countries. Because there are only one or two vassal States, and they are all very small countries, the vassal States in the Qing Dynasty mainly refer to tributary States and vassal States.

China's suzerain-vassal relationship indirectly influenced the vassal countries through suzerain-vassal culture, education and diplomacy.

On the surface, this suzerain-vassal relationship seems to be a trivial and unequal relationship, and neighboring countries want to "pay tribute to China"; It was awarded by China and stamped by China.

In fact, this suzerain-vassal relationship is only a form of maintaining friendly relations between China and neighboring countries, and there is no substantive content of ruling and being ruled.

As a suzerain, the rulers of China treat foreigners with a hostile attitude of "you can't rule foreigners, those who come will not refuse, and those who leave will not pursue them", and in principle do not interfere in the internal affairs of vassal States.

In order to show his wealth and magnanimity as a "celestial dynasty", the rulers of China always give a lot of rewards to the tributes based on the principle of "accumulated wealth and thin hair", which is far more valuable than the items paid by the tributes. Therefore, client countries are always willing to pay tribute to China.

Sometimes, in order to reduce their burden, the rulers of China also imposed various restrictions and regulations on the time and scale of tribute to China. Although some countries sometimes pay tribute to China in advance in violation of regulations, the China government has also given it a warm reception.

Furthermore, while countries pay tribute to China, they also trade with China.