Throughout the history of East Asia, trade and maritime activities have been at the heart of many studies. This contains many values ​​worthy of in-depth study.

From the 16th century to the 19th century, the competitive situation of maritime trade and the interaction between various forces constituted topics of great research significance.

In the early days, East Asia formed a unique trade pattern.

After Zheng He's voyages to the West, the scale of maritime trade in ancient my country expanded significantly. At that time, our merchant ships sailed to many areas.

Some ports in China play a key commercial transshipment role, with all kinds of porcelain, tea and other goods shipped to all parts of the world.

At that time, foreign powers such as the Dutch East India Company had not yet entered the trade field of East Asia on a large scale.

Trade at that time mainly relied on the intra-Asian trading system, which extended from China to Japan and some areas in Southeast Asia. Many merchants were frequently active in this system.

As time goes by, East Asia’s trade pattern faces new challenges.

Various countries and forces began to compete for control of maritime trade.

The continuous approach of Western forces has caused huge changes in the originally stable trade pattern.

The Dutch East India Company began planning to establish commercial bases in my country's coastal areas and other areas of East Asia, aiming to break the existing trade distribution pattern in Asia.

The activities of the Dutch East India Company in East Asia were notable.

Between 1635 and 1690, trade conditions in the region underwent significant changes.

At a certain period, due to restrictions on diplomatic relations and navigation technology, there were even situations where ships were unable to sail to China.

It attempts to reorganize trade sovereignty in the South China Sea and at the same time conduct exchanges and cooperation with forces in my country's coastal areas and neighboring countries.

For example, there are many complex interactions with the Zheng family.

The Dutch East India Company intended to expand its trading interests in China and seek to obtain more commercial concessions in other parts of Asia.

In addition, the Dutch East India Company also had unique experience in Japan.

It occupies a place in the territory of Japan's foreign trade, and exploring how it conducts trade in a relatively closed social system is a topic of considerable research value.

The Dutch gradually adapted to Japan's seclusion policy and established a suitable trade model.

The Zheng family has great influence in East Asia's maritime trade and political landscape.

Around 1620-1720, the Zheng family gradually rose to prominence.

Zheng Chenggong's recovery of Taiwan Island was an important historical node. The location of Taiwan Island became an excellent maritime trade center for the Zheng family.

Zheng Chenggong's son Zheng Jing established the corresponding political structure on the island of Taiwan and was responsible for the management of maritime trade.

The relationship between the Zheng family and the Dutch is also very complicated.

There were both trade exchanges and military confrontations between them.

In the waters of East Asia and Southeast Asia, they experienced many head-on confrontations or collaborations. These interactions had a significant impact on the maritime trade order at that time, and affected cargo transportation routes and resource allocation in East Asia.

The trade exchanges between China and Japan during this period had their own characteristics.

Scholars such as Yoko have studied the exchanges and trade between China and Japan in a certain period.

At that time, Japan's social structure was relatively closed, but there was still a certain degree of trade with China.

In this trade interaction, the main commodities traded included silk, handicrafts, etc.

From a location perspective, ports such as Nagasaki are important trading places.

In addition, trade between the two countries is also affected by the state of war and diplomatic policies. Taking Japan as an example, its lockdown policy has imposed certain restrictions on the scale of trade and the types of goods.

Many scholars have conducted in-depth research on ocean-related events during this period.

Adam, Xinghang and others focus on discussing issues related to maritime trade and conflict.

They wrote several books exploring changes in the maritime situation from 1500 to 1900.

Tonio's research focuses on the story of China's first great voyage.

Scholar A focused on the confrontation between Zheng Chenggong and the Dutch East India Company.

Each scholar's research started from a specific perspective and analyzed a certain part of the maritime trade and the interaction between forces in that era.

The depth and focus of research by different scholars are also different.

Blussé mainly studies the trade situation in the Netherlands. Through his research, we can understand many details in the history of Dutch trade.

Scholars such as Yoko and others focused on studying Japan's exchanges with the outside world and revealed to us Japan's role and position in international trade during that period.

Trade and war appear to be independent on the surface, but in fact they are closely linked at this stage.

Competition for maritime trade routes is often one of the triggers for the outbreak of war.

There had been military conflicts between the Dutch East India Company and the Zheng family over key trade routes in East Asia.

Judging from the outcome of the war, it will change the pattern of trade.

If one side wins the war, it could redefine trade rules in the region.

For example, after Zheng Chenggong regained Taiwan Island, he changed the trade pattern in the waters surrounding Taiwan Island.

During times of war, the types of transported trade items will be adjusted, and the trade status of certain strategic materials becomes more critical.

For example, during a certain war, the trade in raw materials for weapons manufacturing was more active than usual.

Are you also interested in the intricate history of trade and political exchanges in East Asia?