The Characteristics of the Cultural Views on Zhonghwa of the Vietnamese Diplomatic Envoy, Lý Van Phuc: Based on His Mission to China

Title

The Characteristics of the Cultural Views on Zhonghwa of the Vietnamese Diplomatic Envoy, Lý Van Phuc: Based on His Mission to China

Author

Che-Ting CHANG

Page

47-82

DOI

10.6163/tjeas.2017.14(1)47

Abstract

This paper aims to elaborate on the characteristics of the cultural views of Ly Van Phuc 李文馥, a Vietnamese diplomatic envoy, regarding Zhonghwa 中華. By focusing on the traditional views of Zhonghwa in China, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as the views of the figures in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan regarding Zhonghwa, this paper analyzes the features of these views and classifies them into three types, namely, ＂Geographic Views on Zhonghwa 地理中華觀＂, ＂Cultural Views on Zhonghwa 文化中華觀＂, and ＂Centerless Views on Zhonghwa 無中心的中華觀＂. The views of Lý Van Phuc belong to ＂Cultural Views on Zhonghwa＂, and Lý regarded ＂saint enlightenment 聖人教化＂, ＂virtues and morals 綱常道義＂, and ＂literacy, courtesy, and righteousness 文章禮義＂ as the standards to judge if something belongs to Zhonghwa. On his diplomatic mission to Fujian, he finished the essay ＂Distinction of Barbarians 夷辨＂, where he deconstructed the China-centered concepts of world order, and then established the cultural subjectivity of Vietnam. This article won him favorable remarks from Chinese literati and officialdom. Meanwhile, Ly underlined the importance of saint enlightenment, and believed that a barbaric area would culturally change into a civilized area through saint enlightenment. According to his understanding, the members of the Chinese world include China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and Ryukyu. The coverage is consistent with the contemporary concept of the East Asian Cultural Sphere, and is highly meaningful and forward-looking in the era.

Keyword

Vietnam, Lý Văn Phức, Zhonghwa, China, East Asia

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