Liaoxi as the border of East Asia - Focusing on the relationship between the Chinese dynasty, Nomadic forces, Koguryeo - 

Author: Jung Dongmin (korean university of foreign studies)

Page: 251-281

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics of Liaoxi(遼西) as a border through the stauts of the Chinese dynasty, Nomadic Forces, and Koguryeo(高句麗) surrounding Liaoxi region.

The traffic between Liaoxi and the mainland China was inconvenient due to the geographical environments. As a large number of nomadic and hunting tribes lived there, it had the characteristics of isolation and alienation from the Chinese dynasty. Since the mid-sixth century, however, the international order of Northeast Asia has changed rapidly, it has become an important place in East Asia.

In the middle of the sixth century, Liaoxi was surrounded by powerful forces that formed the international order of Northeast Asia at the time, such as Beichao(北朝), Gaobaoning(高寶寧), Turk and Koguryeo. Turk and Gaobaoning had basically confrontation relationship except that they were allied through a common purpose of anti- Beichao. In the background of the confrontation, there were various tribes in Liaoxi. The countries surrounding Liaoxi collided directly or indirectly with each other or with the tribes in Liaoxi in an attempt to exert more influence over the Liaoxi tribes. On the one hand, the clans in Liaoxi also collided one another according to their interests. In other words, Liaoxi was a space where conflicts and confrontations were interlocked.

As mentioned before, countries surrounding Liaoxi tried to exert more influences on various tribes in Liaoxi, but it is considered that they did not actively try to colonize Liaoxi. Then, it can be seen as a space where the force of the countries collided and intersected due to their trials to place Liaoxi under their influence. It was not the space where different realms directly collided. The reason why they did not territorialize Liaoxi is that they chose to have Liaoxi as a contact zones between them instead of border line. The countries kept each other out of direct conflict, showing their influence on the Liaoxi tribes. In this respect, Liaoxi could be seen as a buffer to ensure the security of each other.

On the other hand, the countries surrounding them established political master-subordinate relations in the process of embracing and winning the Liaoxi tribes. It seems that the countries asked for military supports and some tribute, while the tribes asked for economic supports in return. It is thought that Liaoxi could be maintained as a buffer zone due to the necessity for each other. which led to the cooperation between the Chinese and the tribe. It can be seen that it was a space. This shows that Liaoxi was not only a space of confrontations and conflicts but also co-existence between the countries and the tribes.​ 

Key Words

Liaoxi region, Contact Zones, Koguryeo, Chinese Dynasty, Khitan, Gaobaoning