Confucianism

Confucianism had been predominant in most parts of Chinese history and was an important factor affecting Chinese view of its place in the world order. This is due to the fact that Chinese foreign policy was essentially an external expression of the principles of social and political order guiding Chinese state and society internally at that time.(p2) Thus, Chinese foreign relations was accordingly hierarchical and nonegalitarian, just like the Chinese society which was guided by Confucian principles. As a result of Confucianism, Chinese foreign relations were grouped into three main zones, the Sinic Zone, the Inner Asian Zone and the Outer Zone. Confucianism became a source of ties for China and some non-Chinese states, but it was also part of the cultural difficulties complicating relations between China and culturally different West. China¡¦s foreign relation was therefore, Sino-centric, demanding the rulers of other states to follow the ideological commitment of the ruling elites ...