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May 10, 1879, Zonli yamen protested Japan's annexation of the Liuqiu Kingdom. Liuqiu had been China's tributary country since the early Ming. Despite in 1609 it was conquered and from then on controlled by Satsuma, Liuqiu maintained its loyalty to China. Since the Western powers got in East Asia, Great Powers coveted Liuqiu's position, and even proposed to whack it with China. However, China always refused and took efforts to sustain Liuqiu's Royal House. Regarding Qing's attitude toward Liuqiu, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Tsun-wu, "China's Reponse toward the Western Encroachment on Liu-chiu(Okinawa), 1840-1860".
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