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China's Isolationism
Isolationism, National policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries. Many countries have had this political policies. China's Isolationism is also known as Haijin. It is started in 1370 under Hongwu Emperor's command.

Ming's Isolationism
When Ming just established its empire, the southeast side is constantly facing the invasion of piracy of now day Japan. In response to that, Hongwu Emperor enforced a Haijin; which literally means sea ban in December 1371. This ban forbids all personal and commercial use of marit-travel. The ban removed 市舶司, which was established since Tang dynasty. It served as the government administration for commercial sea usage. In most severe time, not only sea trade was banned, but also any people who owns a large ship will be taken as traitor of the Ming. Because the only reason people who build a large ship is to trade with other countries and pirates. Those ship owners will be publicly beheaded in the name of treason.

In 1567, nearly two hundreds years after the sea ban was enforced. Under Longqing Emperor's reign, the sea ban was abolished. Several costal trading post were opened for trading with foreign countries. 督饷馆, which serves the similar job as 市舶司 was found. 督饷馆 controls the sea trade and generates taxes from it. Yet still, all trading with Japan was banned. Anyone who commit trading with Japan will be beheaded in the name of treason with pirates.