Was Ryukyu the territory of China in ancient times?

Ryukyu is not a territory of China, but a vassal state of China.

China's tributary system is different from the western colonial system, not to mention direct annexation. China's tributary system is more nominal and has no military or administrative jurisdiction.

Ryukyu and Vietnam, Korea, Myanmar, Nanzhang and Siam, which belonged to China's tributary system at that time, all belonged to an independent country. Of course, China is the nominal suzerain of Ryukyu.

1429, Zhongshan Kingdom annexed two other countries and established a unified Ryukyu Kingdom. After the reunification of Ryukyu, the Ryukyu Kingdom continued to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty, and its contacts with the Ming Dynasty continued, making it one of the most hardcore vassals of China.

Under the influence of China, Ryukyu Kingdom has become a famous "Little China" at home and abroad. From language to etiquette and customs, it is full of strong China cultural symbols. Chinese is the official language of Ryukyu Kingdom, and the succession of Ryukyu King must be conferred by China Dynasty, otherwise it will not be recognized. At that time, the relationship between China and Ryukyu was evident.

In addition, there are a large number of China people living in the Ryukyu Kingdom, who occupy a prominent position in Ryukyu, and many important positions in Ryukyu Kingdom are held by China people. At that time, China had a great influence in Ryukyu.

During the Southern Ming Dynasty, although the Ming Dynasty was in danger, Ryukyu still paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty many times, and maintained a vassal-vassal relationship with China. During the Qing Dynasty, due to the replacement of the Ming Dynasty by the Qing Dynasty, the Ryukyu Kingdom changed to pay tribute to the Qing government, and all the kings of Ryukyu Kingdom in the past dynasties asked Emperor China for knighthood, and the vassal relationship between China and Ryukyu never stopped.

Extended data:

Ryukyu was called Ryukyu in ancient times, and was named Ryukyu in the fifth year of Hongwu in Ming Dynasty (AD 1372). At that time, Ryukyu was divided into three parts, and King Zhongshan was the first to serve the imperial edict. Soon after, King Beishan and King Zhongshan also paid tribute one after another, and Ryukyu began to be included in China's tribute system.

1429, King Zhongshan unified Ryukyu and was conferred the title of King Ryukyu by Emperor Xuanzong of Ming Dynasty. 1430, Emperor Xuanzong of Ming Dynasty officially conferred the title of King of Ryukyu, and Ryukyu officially became a vassal state of China.

1609, Japanese Samoans invaded Ryukyu and Ryukyu was defeated. By 16 1 1, Ryukyu recognized the controlling position of Japanese Samoans, and established its vassal status with Japan on the basis of maintaining its vassal status with China.

During the period of 1632, Samoan of Japan implemented the system of "looking back on the past" to monitor Ryukyu's internal affairs, trade and tribute. That is to say, China and Ryukyu are only nominal vassal relations, while Japanese and Ryukyu are not only nominal vassal relations, but also have certain administrative jurisdiction and can collect taxes (tribute).

By the19th century, the Qing government was weakening, while Japan's national strength was increasing after the Meiji Restoration. By 1879, Japan completely annexed Ryukyu, established Okinawa Prefecture, and Ryukyu perished.

Japan's control of Ryukyu remained until the end of World War II, and then it was entrusted to the United States. 1972, the United States handed over the administrative power of Okinawa Prefecture to Japan, but did not explicitly hand over sovereignty.

According to Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation, Japan's sovereignty is limited to Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and nearby islands that may be decided. Japanese control over Ryukyu (now Okinawa Prefecture) has no legal basis, and it is illegal for the United States to transfer power in disregard of China's attitude.

Of course, Ryukyu is not China's inherent territory, but Japanese control over Ryukyu is illegal now, and Ryukyu people have the right to demand independence. In fact, because there are a large number of Japanese immigrants and fewer aborigines in Ryukyu, most people in Ryukyu now have a high degree of recognition of Japan. At the same time, Ryukyu has a large number of American military bases, so the possibility of referendum independence is really too low.

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