中琉正式友好交往的历史始于明朝洪武五年。《明史·琉球传》云:“洪武初,其国有三王,曰中山、曰山南、目山北,皆以尚为姓,而中山最强,五月正月,命行人杨载以即位建元诏告其国,其中山王察度遣弟泰期等随载入朝贡方物。”~①从此琉球正式成为明朝藩属,开始了两国的封贡贸易。中国共派出册封使二十三次,其 The history of the formal friendly exchanges between China and Okinawa began in the five years of the Ming Dynasty Hongwu. Ming Dynasty · Ryukyu Biography: “Hongwu early, the state-owned three kings, said Zhongshan, said Shannan, mountain north, are still for the surname, and the strongest in Zhongshan, the first lunar month, Chao told the kingdom of the country, including the king of the king sent his brother sent Thailand and other tribute with the party. ”~ ① Since then Ryukyu became the Ming Dynasty vassal, began the tributary trade between the two countries. China sent a total of twenty-three times to seal it