China’s relations with other kingdoms in Southeast Asia were
much more friendly. Numerous embassies were exchanged following
the Zheng He voyages as even minor principalities sought to benefit
from trading relations with China. One was Melaka whose independ-
ence was expressly underwritten by Yongle. Melaka was founded
around 1400 by a truant prince from south Sumatra, named Para-
meshvara. The port was strategically situated to control the Melaka
Strait, but sat on the fringes of the empires of both Majapahit and
Ayutthaya, and was claimed by both. When Melaka was visited in
1403 by a Chinese envoy, Parameshvara appealed for Chinese recog-
nition and protection. A tributary mission was dispatched; Zheng He
visited Melaka in 1409; and Parameshvara went in person to make his
submission to Yongle in 1411.
China took a particular interest in Melaka, both because of its
importance as a trading emporium, and because of its strategic loca-
tion. In 1405 Melaka was accorded the significant honour of being the
recipient of the first of four inscriptions Yongle personally addressed to
foreign rulers. In it the emperor graciously acknowledged Paramesh-
vara’s desire to be part of the Chinese world order, and to benefit from
its cosmically ordained harmony.^14
The king of Brunei was another minor potentate who personally
led a tribute mission to China. His reward was Chinese endorsement
for Brunei’s independence. Yongle magnanimously freed Brunei of any
obligation to pay tribute to the declining power of Majapahit. A royal
inscription presented to the Brunei sultan demonstrated, however, the
essentially condescending Chinese view of its vassal status. In all,
seven kings made the long trip to the Chinese capital, all from minor
principalities (including three from Melaka and two from Brunei).
For the Melakan ruler, the benefits of Chinese protection were
immediate and tangible. Ayutthaya had attempted to impose its own
suzerainty over Melaka by confiscating the imperial seal Yongle had
bestowed on Parameshvara. Zheng He’s voyage of 1407, and again that
of 1419, visited Ayutthaya to warn the Siamese king not to infringe
Sea power, tribute and trade