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Early Ming Maritime Ban (1390s)

Type Event Region East Asia Time 1390–1399

In the 1390s, the Hongwu Emperor continued strict maritime bans, prohibiting private overseas trade and allowing only limited official tributary mari…

Timeline

  1. 1390–1394Nanjing · ChinaThe Ming court reaffirmed the maritime ban under the framework of the Great Ming Code, strictly prohibiting private construction of sea-going vessels with two or more masts and unauthorized overseas trade, with severe punishments for violators; the maritime ban entered a phase of institutional consolidation.
  2. 1395–1399Coasts of Fujian and Zhejiang · southeast coastThe court reorganized the Maritime Trade Supervisorates, bringing overseas trade under the control of the tributary system, strengthening coastal patrols and fishing bans; private smuggling and wokou activity were suppressed but not eliminated.

Sources