<P> The Chinese Tributary System or Chao Gong (Chinese: 中華 朝貢 體系) was the network of trade and foreign relations between China and its tributaries, which helped to shape much of East Asian affairs . Contrary to other tribute systems around the world, the Chinese tributary system consisted almost entirely of mutually - beneficial economic relationships, and member states of the system were politically autonomous and, in almost all cases, independent as well. . Through the system, which facilitated frequent economic and cultural exchange, the various dynasties of China (refer to "Heaven Dynasty") "deeply influenced the culture of the peripheral countries and also drew them into a China - centered, or "sino - centric", international order ." The Chinese Tributary System shaped foreign policy and trade for over 2000 years of Chinese countries's economic and cultural dominance of the region, and thus played a huge role in the History of East Asia in particular . Recently, some scholars have argued that it is misleading to think of "a millennial tribute system", rather than "a loose set of expectations and precedents"; they suggest that the system flourished only in the late Ming and early to middle late Qing dynasties . </P> <P> The traditional Chinese international structure was different from many other systems developed in other parts of the world . First, it was premised on the belief that China was the cultural center of the world and that foreigners were "less civilized" or "barbarians ." Second, since the Chinese state was considered the center of all humankind, most other foreign rulers were expected to recognize the prominence of the Chinese court . In the Qing period, countries wanting to trade with China had to send "tribute" missions that acknowledged China's cultural superiority and nominal suzerainty by the ritual of ke - tou, or kow - tow, which consisted of three kneelings, each involving three prostrations before the emperor . In return, they could trade for a specified number of days at border points designated by Beijing . </P>

Why did diplomats bring goods to china in the tributary system
find me the text answering this question