Lands of Asia layouts (Eng) 26.11.21

2 .6
As we can see, as a special form of international relations, diplomacy emerged in
Inner Asia as early as the first half of the 1st millennium BC, but its establishment and
development continued from the first centuries BC to first centuries AD.
In the early stages in the development of diplomatic relations in the countries of
Inner Asia, due to certain political reasons, these were mainly fostered with Iran and
the Hellenistic states of the West, while China became the central focus from the end
of the 1st millennium BC.
The nature of diplomatic relations with the various dynasties that ruled this
country was mixed, however. While considerable diplomatic activity took place
under the Western Han Dynasty, it declined at the outset of the Eastern Han Dynasty,
but then resumed, albeit sporadically, at a later stage.
The military and political situation in Inner Asia, raids by the nomadic tribes of
Zhuzhans, Huns, Chionites and Kidarites, and dynastic struggles in China all led to
the almost complete cessation of these relationships.
They were only fully renewed in the second quarter of the 5th century AD, and
were evidently connected with China’s search for allies against nomadic tribes in
Inner Asia, and also to a change in its state policy towards international relations with
Inner Asian states, and to the renewal of its traditional policy of expansionism in this
region.
It is entirely possible that at this time Inner Asian states already had dedicated
bodies responsible for international relations, and that a cadre of individuals
specialising in this area was being formed. At any rate, there is evidence of envoys,
aides and interpreters being active at this time.
Clearly, diplomacy in Inner Asia has a long and centuries-old tradition.
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