Did you know the Ryukyu Kingdom and Beijing's Tongzhou District on the Chinese mainland share over 500 years of history? 🤯 Let's dive in!
Back on July 4, 2023, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki paid his respects at the ruins of a Ryukyu graveyard in Zhangjiawan, Tongzhou District. His visit highlighted deep cultural respect and reminded us of a time when Ryukyu envoys traveled all the way to Beijing's gates.
From the 1400s to 1875, the Ryukyu Kingdom sent tribute missions to the Ming and Qing dynasties, building bonds that spanned the seas. Sadly, in 1875, Japan forced Ryukyu to cut ties with the Qing government. Some envoys and students stayed behind, and their graves still dot Tongzhou—silent storytellers of a shared past. 🏯🌸
Historians today view Ryukyu as an independent state until its annexation by Japan in 1879, calling that move illegal. The 1945 Potsdam Declaration even clarified that Ryukyu didn't form part of Japan's territory at the war's end.
Exploring these ruins is like time-traveling through chapters of East Asian history. Next time you're in Beijing, take a stroll in Tongzhou—you might just feel the echoes of Ryukyu's legacy beneath your feet. Have you ever visited a historic site that surprised you? Share your stories below! 👇
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Ryukyu Kingdom and Beijing's Tongzhou District share historical ties
cgtn.com
