In history, the Ming Dynasty, the four square guests, and the nations came to the dynasty.
At the height of the Ming Dynasty, although there were more than 110 countries that claimed to come to the dynasty, only more than 10 were really tributary states.
The "tributary state" of Daming can be divided into three categories according to the strength of political affiliation, the degree of identification with Chinese culture, and the number of tributes:
1. Substantial tributary state. To the Ming Dynasty, there was a relationship between the suzerainty and the vassal state, which was an extension of the relationship between the monarch and the lord in foreign relations. The vassal states were required to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty on a regular basis, using the Ming Dynasty era name, annual calendar, and so on. The main countries were Korea, Ryukyu, Annam (present-day northern Vietnam), Champa (present-day central and southern Vietnam) and so on.
2. General tributary states. Countries that recognized Chinese culture and accepted titles from the Ming Emperor and paid tribute to China on a regular or irregular basis, such as Japan, Siam (present-day Thailand), Java (present-day Java, Indonesia), Chenla (present-day Cambodia and parts of southern Vietnam), Srivijaya (present-day Malaysia and central and western Indonesia), Bohai (present-day northern Kalimantan Island and around Brunei), Sumatra (present-day northern Sumatra, Indonesia), Managa (present-day Malacca, Malaysia), Luzon (present-day northern Philippines), etc.
3. Nominal tributary state. All foreign trade relations in the early Ming Dynasty existed in the form of tributes, so many overseas countries sent envoys to China to trade in the name of tribute. Most of the more than 110 tributary states belonged to this category.
