Ming Tribute System

Timeline

1. 1511–1513Malacca · Malay PeninsulaIn 1511 the Portuguese captured Malacca, and the Ming vassal Sultanate of Malacca fell; its tribute missions to the Ming court were immediately cut off. This was the first direct damage to the tribute system by a European power since its establishment. The Ming court received the Malaccan sultan's request for aid but could not respond effectively.
2. 1517–1520Guangzhou to Beijing · ChinaThe Portuguese envoy Tomé Pires arrived in Guangzhou in the twelfth year of Zhengde (1517) and entered the capital the following year for an audience with the Zhengde Emperor. However, because of Portugal's occupation of Malacca and its arrogant conduct in Guangzhou, the Ming court refused to recognize Portugal as a legitimate tributary state; diplomacy failed, and the exclusionary nature of the tribute system toward Western powers became apparent.