February** Dynamic Incentive Program
To understand the foreign policy of the Tang Dynasty, one must first know the diplomatic institutions of the Tang Dynasty.
There were three types of diplomatic institutions in the Tang Dynasty
1. Foreign Affairs Reception Agency.
1. Sifang Pavilion: Reception of ethnic minorities and foreign envoys from different regions.
2. Honglu Temple: in charge of ethnic affairs or foreign affairs reception.
3. Protocol House: The official office that receives guests.
2. Foreign Affairs Administration.
1. Mutual Market Supervisor: In charge of the mutual market with ethnic minorities and foreign businessmen in the northwest fringe areas.
2. Municipal Shipping Division: responsible for handling the external affairs of the southeast coastal port cities.
3. Local foreign affairs and foreign trade management.
It is mainly undertaken by the Jiezhen (Dao) and the mutual market supervisor.
The specific foreign policies of the Tang Dynasty mainly had the following five points
1. Military requisitions
1.The Tang Dynasty fought to destroy the Eastern Turks
The Eastern Turkic Jieli Khan invaded Hexi, and in 629, Li Shimin, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, sent Li Jing to lead an army to exterminate the Eastern Turks.
Ending: The Tang army won a great victory and captured Jieli Khan, and the Eastern Turks perished.
2.The Tang Dynasty destroyed the Western Turks.
In 657, in order to open the westward trade route, Tang Gaozong sent Su Dingfang to lead an army to fight with the Western Turks. Ending: Less wins more, the Western Turkic Khan fled, and the Tang Dynasty unified the Western Regions.
3.The battle between Tang and Tibet
From the establishment of the Tang Dynasty to its demise, it fought against Tibet for a long time, and in 848, Zhang Yichao led his troops to fight against Tibet.
Ending: Recovered Dunhuang, Zhangye, Jiuquan and other lost territories. Later, there were frequent internal uprisings in Tibet, and many places surrendered to the Tang Dynasty.
4.The battle of Tang and Gaochang
King Gaochang sent troops to attack the Tang realm, and in 640, Tang Taizong ordered Hou Junji to lead his troops to battle.
Ending: The Gaochang Kingdom was destroyed, and Tang Taizong set up the Anxi Protectorate here and sent troops to stay behind.
5.The Tang Dynasty destroyed the Battle of Goguryeo
Goguryeo joined forces with Baekje in an attempt to prevent Silla from paying tribute to the Tang Dynasty, and Silla begged Tang Taizong to send troops to help, and in 644, Tang Taizong sent Zhang Liang and Li Se-chang to march to Liaodong. The Tang Dynasty won many great victories, and in 668, Xue Rengui defeated Goguryeo, and Goguryeo perished.
Ending: The Tang Dynasty set up the Andong Protectorate here and sent troops to stay behind.
2. The tributary system
The surrounding canonized states were required to pay regular tribute to the Tang Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty gave certain gifts and treatments.
Impact: Contributed to the maintenance of the Tang Dynasty's international status and frontier stability. At the same time, it promoted the ** and cultural exchanges between the Tang Dynasty and neighboring countries.
3. Set up envoys
1.Diplomatic Relations: Maintain diplomatic relations, pass on etiquette and letters, and demonstrate the strength and culture of the country.
2.Envoys: send to foreign countries for international exchanges, deliver the emperor's edicts, and carry out activities such as ** and marriage.
4. Marriage (harmony).
The Tang Dynasty royal family entered into marriages with the nobles of neighboring countries. The policy also helped to stabilize the border and strengthen friendly relations between the two countries. The most famous of them is Princess Wencheng.
1.Princess Honghua: Married Tuguhun.
2.Princess Wencheng: Married to Tibet.
3.Princess Jincheng: Married to Tibet.
4.Princess Gu'an: Married Xi.
5.Princess Yongle: Married to Khitan.
6.Princess Yanjun: Married to Khitan.
7.Princess Donghua: Married to Khitan.
8.Princess Dongguang: Married Xi.
9.Princess Heyi: Married Fenghua.
10.Princess Jingle: Married to Khitan.
11.Princess Xian'an: Married back to Hui.
12.Princess Taihe: Married to the Uighurs.
13.Princess Yifang: Married Xi.
14.Princess Ningguo: Married back to Lun.
15.Princess Xiaoningguo: Married back to Lun.
16.Princess Chonghui: Married back to Hui.
5. Equal Diplomacy
1. Encourage equal exchanges between China and foreign countries: The Tang Dynasty set up a special institution (Honglu Temple) to receive foreign envoys and guests, and set up commercial halls in various places to receive foreign businessmen and foreign students.
2. Respect for foreign friends: The Tang Dynasty treated foreign merchants living in the territory with due respect, including living habits and religious beliefs. In the Tang Dynasty, foreigners had the opportunity to sit for the imperial examinations and obtain the corresponding official positions.
3. Attaching importance to neighborly relations: The Tang Dynasty established friendly neighborly relations with Goryeo, Japan, Silla, Tibet, the Arab Empire and India, and strengthened ties through friendship and exchange of envoys.
4. Emphasis on cultural exchanges: The Tang Dynasty was open to cultures from different countries and regions. The eminent monks Xuanzang and Jianzhen crossed the ocean to spread culture.