RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UIGHURS AND TANG CHINA, 744-840

Abstract

This article focuses on the relations between the Uighur state of the period 744
to 840 and China under the Tang dynasty and their mutual impact. The article
covers four aspects of the relationship: the military, diplomatic, economic, as well
as alliances through marriage.1 Although the influence was mutual, that from China
on the Uighur state was greater than the other way around. This was hardly
surprising given the imbalance between the size of the populations and age of the
cultures. Moreover, not all this influence from China was specifically Chinese,
since a major element was in the form of Manicheism, which is Persian in origin
and not a religion the Chinese liked.