Text is perhaps not ideally worded?

[eeky]

In the forum list under "China Forum" it says:

"The world's most populous country, its booming economy and socio-political issues, its culture, language and history. And its influence on its former vassal Japan."

I'm not sure if it's just me, but I find the use of the word "vassal" kind of gratuitous here, with the potential to cause offence for no good reason. Could we just say "influence on its neighbour Japan"?

 

[Mike Cash]

I can't recall Japan ever having been a vassal of China, although at various times some portions of China have been vassals of Japan. It would be in poor taste to include that in the intro text, though.

 

[thomas]

I was in a provocative mood... sorry about that prank, I didn't mean to offend anyone. Text altered to reflect a more neighbourly spirit. ;-)

And just for the record:

According to the Chinese Book of Han, the various tribes of Japan (constituting the nation of Wa) had already entered into tributary relationships with China by the first century. However, Japan ceased to present tribute to China and left the tributary system during the Heian period without damaging economic ties. Although Japan eventually returned to the tributary system during the Muromachi period, it did not recommence presenting tribute. Source

I am not certain however whether being a tributary state (paying tribute) implies being another power's vassal or not.

 

[Glenn]

And I was wondering if I was the only one who had seen that. I didn't think Japan had ever been a vassal either, but I wasn't sure enough to say anything about it.