占城在明代對外關係中的地位

Champa's position in the international relationship with Ming dynasty

占城是明代中國的藩屬國之一，根據史料記載，曾經在明朝時與中國發展出一段相當密切的兩國關係。占城與中國在語言、文化、宗教上都有很大的差異，如何會在此時與中國發生這樣熱絡的國際關係？占城位於今天越南的中南部地區，是一個立國久遠的中南半島國家，其地理位置位於中國通往東南亞及印度的航線上，因此成為中國向海洋發展時重要的貿易對象及轉運港，再加上占城在中南半島上的位置足以牽制與中國關係比較緊張的安南，因而獲得明朝的重視。明朝對於占城的重視程度，可以藉由兩國在朝貢關係中，中國賦予占城的待遇以及干涉來說明。根據明朝的紀錄，占城朝貢中受到的待遇不遜於朝鮮及安南等傳統藩屬國，反映明代對於占城不尋常的重視。究竟占城有什麼重要性讓中國如此的重視？在兩國互動中，占城首先是主動的前來朝貢，而且又有幾次不尋常的獻捷（對象是同為朝貢國的安南）舉動，透露出兩國關係的根本原因──安南問題。占城藉由主動拉攏明朝來牽制安南在兩國相爭時的行動能力，而中國在表面上表現出中立的態度，但其實暗中支持占城來牽制與自己關係緊張的安南，因此軍事、政治上的聯合才是兩國密切交往的主軸，也就是明代中占關係密切的最重要動力來源。

Champa was one of the many vassal states of the Ming Dynasty. According to historical records, there was a period of time that Champa and Ming had a very close politic relationship. Champa and China has very little similarities in language, culture and religion, so why would these two countries develop such relationship during this particular period of time? Champa is an ancient state which takes place in the mid-south part of Vietnam, this location makes it an important transfer post on the ancient shipping line between South-East Asia and China, and to China, a state that can containment Anname from the south. The Ming Dynasty's serious care of Champa can be proved by the well treatment and interfere in the Tribute relationship. From the record of Ming, Champa has received almost the same treatments that the most important triditional vassal states Anname and Korea did, this shows us the specialty of China-Champa relationship at this period. But why? The Tribute relation between the two countries began with Champa on the initiative side, and some unuasal present of military victory to the Ming government against Anname, which is also a vassal state of Ming, gives a clue to the hidden main reason of this relation: the Anname threat. Champa initiatively makes its contacts to Ming to get superiority in the war against Anname, and Ming holds a neutral appearance but secretly supports Champa to keep its south board secured, according to this, the combine of military and political affairs is the main shaft and impulse of the close relation of Ming and Champa.