VILLANUEVA, Cielo Kassandra L.

GHIST - 1658
BSA 1 Block 8

The China Trade - Philippines History

A Narrative
Exchange among China and the Philippines most likely began hundreds of years before the coming of
the Sung Dynasty. The "A Collection of Data in Chinese Classical Books Regarding the Philippines" was distributed
by the Institute of Southeast Asian History of Zhongsan (Sun Yat Sen) University, Guangzhou (1900). It states:
"During the T'ang (Thang) line China (in the seventh to the ninth century AD) the two people groups of China
and the Philippines previously had generally close relations and material just as social trades."

During the Sung (960-1127 AD), Arab dealers carried Philippine products to South Western China
through the port of Canton. Chinese posts were set up in seaside towns of the Philippines with the import of
Chinese merchandise. The exchange finished when Chao Ju-Kua composed of the bargain exchange between
the Chinese and the locals of Mayi (Mindoro). The Chinese traded silk, porcelain, hued glass, globules and iron
product for hemp material, turtle shells, pearls and yellow wax of the Filipinos. The Chinese turned into the
predominant brokers in the twelfth and thirteenth hundreds of years during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD).
The primary truly solid Chinese records of Borneo and the Philippines starts with the increase of the last Sung
line, in the 10th century. From the twelfth to the fifteenth century, records of Bruni, Sulu, Ma-I and others of the
Philippine Islands become more various. Before 1225 the Chinese vessels were making ordinary exchanging
excursions to practically all pieces of the Philippines. Numerous spots are referenced in the records, however
depictions are given of a couple. Aside from Sulu — which has consistently kept up nearer relations with Borneo
than with the northern Philippines — the main exchange place seems to have been Mindoro, which was
referenced as such in the 10th century. The site of Luzon is expressed on this event to be in the South Sea
extremely near Chang-chou in Fuhkien.

The Emperor responded the blessings of this consulate by dispatching an authority with presents of
silk cloth woven of gold and shaded strings to the King of the nation. In another early record it is expressed that
Luzon produces gold, which is the explanation of its abundance; individuals are moronic and don't care to go to
law. Chinese records show that customary and dynamic exchange among China and the Philippines occurred
uniquely in the 10th century. Prior exchange among China and the Philippines was executed for the most part
through the Champa (Vietnam) coast. However, Mai-I (Mindoro) brokers who recently experienced Vietnam
prior to continuing to China chose in 972 to go around Vietnam and rather to exchange legitimately with China
by cruising into Canton. The Chinese got from the Filipinos not just such crude materials as yellow wax, cotton,
pearls, turtle shells, betel-nuts, cocoanuts, and vegetables, yet in addition jute textures (likely those woven from
abaka, Manila hemp, as to-day), other woven products of cotton, and fine tangles. The Filipinos took in return
porcelain, gold, iron, needles, jars for fragrances, spear heads, articles of lead, silk parasols, dark damask, and
different silks. This was almost 3 centuries before Magellan.

The Mai-I, Butuan and Sulu missions to China were endeavors by isolated Philippine commonwealths
not exclusively to sidestep Champa as an exchange entrepot and to set up themselves as new focuses of global
exchange. The Mindoro merchants needed to protect the gift of the Chinese ruler with a recognition mission.
They gave the sovereign intriguing endowments like pearls, frankincense, myrrh, and vivid creatures. From that
point Mindoro assignments were treated as state visitors and enrolled as feudatory sovereigns of the domain.
They were presented with comparing seals and licenses of office. Presumably, the stately affirmation of Chinese
supreme suzerainty by feeder missions was acceptable legislative issues, it was thusly remunerated by the award
of accreditation to Mindoro brokers to participate in direct business exercises with China.