Turkic-Chinese Relations in East and Central Asia in VI—VIII Centuries

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of trade relations between the Turkic Qaghanates and China in the VI—VIII centuries. At that time, the zone of contact between steppe Mongolia and the northern Chinese borders became a place of active trade exchange, in which nomads, Chinese, and Sogdians participated. The purpose of the article is to analyze trade relations along the territory of contact between China and the Turkic Qaghanate in the VI—VIII centuries and to identify the economic significance of the Turkic-Chinese frontier for international trade relations in the Central Asian region. As a result of the analysis, it was shown that the strengthening of the influence of the Turks and China in Central Asia contributed to the establishment of stable trade along the Silk Road. Based on the analysis of Chinese sources, it was revealed that Chinese silk and Turkic horses have become the main goods involved in the exchange in the frontier zone. As a result, the authors conclude that trade along the frontier zone stimulated the entire system of trade relations in Central Asia. China’s need for nomadic horses led to huge shipments of silk fabrics to the steppe. The Turkic qaghans sold the accumulated silk to the Sogdians, who distributed it in the markets of the Central Asian region, sent it to Iran and Byzantium. Thus, due to trade, a symbiosis of China and the steppe region was created, international contacts intensified.

Keywords

• ancient turks
• china
• frontier
• trade
• silk road
• horse trade
• sogdians
• central asia
• nomads
• tang empire