A Review Of Tao Jinsheng's Research On The History Of Liao And Jin

Jing-shen Tao(1933-)is a scholar with an important position and influence in the world.He has both the academic background of Chinese and Western studies and profound academic attainment,and has a deep and attractive accomplishment in the historical research,especially in the field of Liao and Jin Dynasties.From the study of politicians in the early Jin Dynasty to the study of political system in the Jin Dynasty,he focused on the issue of the "Sinicization" of Jurchen nationality from social life to political organization.Jing-shen Tao concurrently constructed the overall situation of Song-Liao relations in the 10 th to 12 th centuries in his Study of the History of Song-Liao Relations.And put forward the theory of "equal diplomatic relations between Song and Liao Dynasty".In addition,Jing-shen Tao,on the basis of the study of the history of Liao and Jin Dynasties,considered the role of the frontier nationalities such as Liao and Jin Dynasties in the overall trend of Chinese history.Jing-shen Tao 's academic background of combining China and the West,in the West,his historical research reflects a solid ability to use historical materials that some Western historians lack.In Chinese academic circles,Jing-shen Tao was a Chinese scholar who contacted the western academic viewpoints earlier and applied them to his own research.Jing-shen Tao 's concern about the imperial examination system in the Jin Dynasty is the improvement and deepening of the previous studies on the issue of " Sinicization of the Jurchen ".At the same time,he also introduced the concept of "Nativistic Movements" in cultural anthropology to interpret the renaissance of Jurchen Culture carried out in the Twelfth Century.Jing-shen Tao 's theory of "equal diplomatic relations between Song and Liao Dynasty" puts Song and Liao Dynasties in the region of East Asia,and holds that the signing of the " Covenant of Chan Yuan " is the beginning of the "equal" relationship between Song and Liao.It also discusses the "equal" mode of communication in Chinese history,and holds that the "tribute system" is not the only or main mode of communication between countries in Chinese history.