During his 2023 visit to Beijing, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki paid respects at the Ryukyu Kingdom gravesite in Tongzhou District's Zhangjiawan area – a symbolic gesture highlighting enduring cultural connections between the region and China. The site once served as a crucial entry point for foreign envoys to China's imperial courts.
500 Years of Shared History
Historical records show the Ryukyu Kingdom maintained formal diplomatic relations with China's Ming and Qing dynasties for over five centuries, until Japan forcibly severed these ties in 1875. Dozens of Ryukyu students and envoys who died in China were buried at sites like Zhangjiawan, creating physical testaments to this cross-cultural exchange.
Scholars Reaffirm Historical Context
Contemporary historians emphasize the Ryukyu Kingdom's status as an independent state prior to Japan's 1879 annexation, a move many consider unlawful under international norms. The 1945 Potsdam Declaration notably excluded Ryukyu from recognized Japanese territory, adding complexity to ongoing historical discussions.
