Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia (Paperback)

Zhenping Wang

ISBN 10: 0824872843 / ISBN 13: 9780824872847

Published by University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu, HI, 2017

About this Item

Paperback. Using a synthetic narrative approach, this ambitious work uses the lens of multipolarity to analyze Tang Chinas (618907) relations with Turkestan; the Korean states of Koguryo, Silla, and Paekche; the state of Parhae in Manchuria; and the Nanzhao and Tibetan kingdoms. Without any one entity able to dominate Asias geopolitical landscape, the author argues that relations among these countries were quite fluid and dynamican interpretation that departs markedly from the prevalent view of China fixed at the center of a widespread tribute system. To cope with external affairs in a tumultuous world, Tang China employed a dual management system that allowed both central and local officials to conduct foreign affairs. The court authorized Tang local administrators to receive foreign visitors, forward their diplomatic letters to the capital, and manage contact with outsiders whose territories bordered on China. Not limited to handling routine matters, local officials used their knowledge of border situations to influence the courts foreign policy. Some even took the liberty of acting without the courts authorization when an emergency occurred, thus adding another layer to multipolarity in the regions geopolitics. The book also sheds new light on the ideological foundation of Tang Chinas foreign policy. Appropriateness, efficacy, expedience, and mutual self-interest guided the courts actions abroad. Although officials often used virtue and righteousness in policy discussions and announcements, these terms were not abstract universal principles but justifications for the pursuit of self-interest by those involved. Detailed philological studies reveal that in the realm of international politics, virtue and righteousness were in fact viewed as pragmatic and utilitarian in nature.Comprehensive and authoritative, Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia is a major work on Tang foreign relations that will reconceptualize our understanding of the complexities of diplomacy and war in imperial China. This book uses a narrative synthetic approach to build a body of knowledge about Tang Chinas relations with its major neighbors: the Turks and the Uighurs in the north and northwest, the Korean states of Koguryo, Silla, and Paekche, and the state of Parh Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780824872847

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia (Paperback)
• Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu, HI
• Publication Date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0824872843
• ISBN 13: 9780824872847
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Using a synthetic narrative approach, this ambitious work uses the lens of multipolarity to analyze Tang China’s (618–907) relations with Turkestan; the Korean states of Koguryŏ, Silla, and Paekche; the state of Parhae in Manchuria; and the Nanzhao and Tibetan kingdoms. Without any one entity able to dominate Asia’s geopolitical landscape, the author argues that relations among these countries were quite fluid and dynamic―an interpretation that departs markedly from the prevalent view of China fixed at the center of a widespread “tribute system.”

To cope with external affairs in a tumultuous world, Tang China employed a dual management system that allowed both central and local officials to conduct foreign affairs. The court authorized Tang local administrators to receive foreign visitors, forward their diplomatic letters to the capital, and manage contact with outsiders whose territories bordered on China. Not limited to handling routine matters, local officials used their knowledge of border situations to influence the court’s foreign policy. Some even took the liberty of acting without the court’s authorization when an emergency occurred, thus adding another layer to multipolarity in the region’s geopolitics.

The book also sheds new light on the ideological foundation of Tang China’s foreign policy. Appropriateness, efficacy, expedience, and mutual self-interest guided the court’s actions abroad. Although officials often used “virtue” and “righteousness” in policy discussions and announcements, these terms were not abstract universal principles but justifications for the pursuit of self-interest by those involved. Detailed philological studies reveal that in the realm of international politics, “virtue” and “righteousness” were in fact viewed as pragmatic and utilitarian in nature.

Comprehensive and authoritative, Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia is a major work on Tang foreign relations that will reconceptualize our understanding of the complexities of diplomacy and war in imperial China.

About the Authors

Wang Zhenping is associate professor at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Joshua A. Fogel is professor emeritus of history at York University in Toronto.