Study On The Diplomatic Envoys In The Song Dynasty

A comparatively fully-developed diplomatic system was established in the Songdynasty on all levels of government, from central to local. As messengers oftransmitting information between China and foreign countries, diplomatic envoysplayed an important role in the diplomatic history. However, what dominateddiplomatic activities were internal political situation and national power. The thesisattempts to make a relatively thorough analysis of diplomatic envoys, aiming to be ofsome help to today's diplomatic system of our country. It consists of five parts asfollows:Part One: A brief introduction to the diplomatic envoys in the Song dynasty. First,a general introduction to the official ranks of the diplomatic envoys; Next, an analysisof the administrative institution of the diplomatic envoys; Finally, the itineraries andschedules of the diplomatic envoys.Part Two: The selecting and appointing system of diplomatic envoys in the Songdynasty. The discussion is mainly focused on four points: 1) the fundamental criteria 2)qualifications and priorities 3) ways of selecting and appointing diplomatic envoys 4)the exiting system.Part Three: The diplomatic etiquette abided by the diplomatic envoys in the Songdynasty. The emphasis is chiefly laid on the analysis of the shaping process of thediplomatic etiquette concerning envoys and the etiquette when envoys presentthemselves before a monarch.Part Four: The administrative system of the diplomatic envoys in the Songdynasty. This part gives a review, in order, of the administrative system such as 1) theregulations and statutes on rewards and punishment concerning the diplomatic envoys 2)strict confinement of disciplines 3) the concrete ways to put in practice the rules ofrewards and punishment 4) the monitoring system on various levels for the diplomaticenvoys etc.Part Five: The contributions made by the diplomatic envoys in the Song dynasty inpromoting the economic and cultural exchange and development between China andforeign countries, and an evaluation of the historical status of the diplomatic envoys inthe Song dynasty.