The Chinese emperor and the Japanese shoguns perceived Westerners as the threat to stability and peace in their countries. Confucianism disapproves merchants because they do not produce products and benefit from work of others. Therefore, China and Japan did not value economic connections with other countries.
Also, they did not benefit much from this trade. In addition, Christianity and intrigues of Jesuits were dangerous for local societies with their strict social hierarchies. Both Japan and China struggled from periods of civil wars and economic problems, and their new more efficient rulers decided to sacrifice potential profits from the trade with Westerners for the sake of stability.
Use your promo and get a custom paper on
"China, Japan, and the West".
To get rid of the Western threat, Emperor Qian Long rejected to develop diplomatic and economic relations with foreign merchants and ambassadors. He did not provide merchants with islands for homes and warehouses, did not allow them to live or trade outside Aomen, and prohibited to promote Christianity among Chinese. In other words, he wanted to minimize the influence of the West on China. The shoguns closed Japanese borders, introduced very strict rules of international trade, and banned Christianity. Japanese were forbidden to go abroad or return home after living outside of Japan. Only a few Dutch merchants were allowed to trade in Nagasaki exclusively.
In his letter to King George III, Qian Long explained that China, being a powerful country, did not need any Western goods and wanted to avoid bothersome relations with numerous European countries. He stated that he did not want any conflicts between Chinese and foreigners and insisted on keeping a strict distinction between locals and Europeans. The shoguns, in their turn, banned Christianity because its adepts destroyed Shinto and Buddhist temples, sold other Japanese into slavery, and used cattle and horses for food. Ships from the West were the source of this threat, and the shoguns decided to protect the country from any harmful influences.
