The Khmer Empire's Diplomatic Game: Playing China and Champa

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Khmer Empire's diplomatic relations with Song China and the neighboring kingdom of Champa. They discuss how the Khmer kings sent tribute missions to the Chinese court, the role of the maritime trade network, and the strategic balancing act between China and Champa. The conversation covers specific missions in 1067 and 1116, the Chinese records in the Song Shi, and how diplomacy shaped the Khmer economy and military. Lucas also explains the concept of 'tributary' relationships from both Chinese and Khmer perspectives, and how the Cham invasion of 1177 ultimately disrupted this delicate order. #KhmerEmpire #SongChina #Champa #TributeMissions #Diplomacy #MaritimeTrade #AngkorWat #SreiSanthor #Quanzhou #ZhouDaguan #SongShi #IndravarmanII #SuryavarmanII #JayavarmanVII #SoutheastAsia #History #FexingoHistory #MedievalDiplomacy Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo