Pirates, Conquistadores and Celestial Empire. A Historical Study on Sino-Iberian Relations in the Far East, Focusing on Chinese Pirates’ Influences (1557-1583)

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Chapter 1: Introduction
  • 1.1 Background
  • 1.2 Literature Review
  • 1.3 Research Question
  • 1.4 Methodology
• Chapter 2: First-Comer's Opportunity in Macao
  • 2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2 'Fo Lang Ji': Negative and Positive Connotations
  • 2.3 'The Emperor is far away': Localism in Guangdong
  • 2.4 Opportunities
• Chapter 3: Late-Comer's Failure in the Philippines
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Guangdong's Disaster but Macao's opportunity
  • 3.3 'Wokou' in the South China Sea
• Chapter 4: Unification in Peninsula, Disintegration in the Far East

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation explores the intersection of Chinese pirates and Sino-Iberian relations in the Far East, specifically focusing on the period between 1557 and 1583. It aims to understand how Chinese pirate groups influenced the dynamic between the Iberian communities and the Chinese Ming Dynasty during this era.

• The impact of Chinese pirates on Sino-Iberian relations in the Far East.
• The evolving definitions of "piracy" in the context of Ming China and its relationship with Iberian communities.
• The strategies employed by Iberians to establish themselves in China through cooperation with the Chinese government.
• The contrasting outcomes of Portuguese Macao and Spanish Manila in diplomatic interactions with the Ming Dynasty.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter 1: Introduction provides an overview of the historical context, including the expulsion of Portuguese diplomat Tomé Pires from Beijing in 1521, the subsequent portrayal of Portuguese as deceitful by Malay envoys to the Ming court, and the significance of the "stone" erected by Jorge Alvares in 1514.

Chapter 2: First-Comer's Opportunity in Macao delves into the early interactions between Portuguese and Chinese, including the connotations of the term "Fo Lang Ji" and the localism prevalent in Guangdong province.

Chapter 3: Late-Comer's Failure in the Philippines explores the challenges faced by Spanish in the Philippines, contrasting their experience with Portuguese success in Macao. It also discusses the role of "Wokou" in the South China Sea.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The dissertation focuses on Sino-Iberian relations, Chinese pirates, Ming Dynasty, 'Fo Lang Ji', Portuguese Macao, Spanish Manila, Wokou, and diplomatic history in the Far East.