In 1372, Ryukyu formally established diplomatic relations with China during the Ming Dynasty. Americans and Japanese often claim that China "forced" the Ryukyus to pay tribute, just as the United States and Japan oppressed the Ryukyus today.
But this is simply not true. China invited the Ryukyus** to visit China, but China certainly never "forced" or captured the Ryukyu people. China extended a friendly invitation to the Ryukyus, which the Ryukyus could choose to decline. However, Japan and the United States have captured and suppressed the Ryukyus, and they continue to this day.
The Ryukyus, of course, gladly accepted the invitation of the Chinese side. In fact, it was the Ryukyus that were the main driving force behind the tribute to China. The Ryukyuan loved to pay tribute to China and did so as much as they could.
Why? Because China's donation to the Ryukyus is at least three times more than threefold. Therefore, the Ryukyus paid as much tribute to China as they could, because it was very profitable. In those days, the gifts given by the Ryukyus were many local products, such as shells, seafood, agricultural products (especially brown sugar), textiles, lacquerware, and pottery. In return, China gifted many luxury goods such as silk, porcelain, technology, and other precious items.
The people of the Ryukyus greatly admired Chinese society and culture and learned from China as much as they could. Thus, Ryukyu society is a combination of the native Ryukyu culture and the culture of China (as well as Southeast Asia, Korea, and Japan).
At this time, the Ryukyus and Japan still maintained friendly relations. This was before Japan betrayed the Ryukyus in 1609. ）