Effects of Malay-China Trade Relations during the Malacca Sultanate on the Emergence of Chinese Peranakan Community
4. Effects of Commercial Activity against Chinese Peranakan formation in Malacca had seen through few evidents:
Places of worship of the Chinese in Malacca such as Cheng Hoon Teng which was built during the times of Dutch rule.
There was a Chinese Village which had been built at the time of the Portugese conquest of Malacca.
Intermarriage between Chinese traders with local Malay Community and one of the main factor to this is the lack of Chinese woman in Malacca.
3. History of Chinese Arrival in Malacca
3 Main phases
-Earliest settlement of the Chinese
-During the British Colonial Era
-Post-independence Malaya
From the expeditions of Admiral Zheng He to Malacca in 1405-1433, Fei Xin who went along mentioned in his writings about the existence of light skinned people who may be Chinese.
From the Malay Annals written in the beginning of 17th century, the story of princess Hang Li Po who was sent to Malacca by China's emperor and got married to Sultan Mansur Shah after converting to Islam has made writer Kong Yuanzhi to come out with 2 aspects
i) history of the friendly and closed relations that have prevailed so long between the Malays and Chinese
ii) there had been cases of intermarriage between the Chinese and the Malays over the past five centuries.
Based on Oong Hak Ching's findings (1983),
i) Chinese people at the time of Malacca Sultanate had probably gone through full assimilation with the local Malays.
ii) the Chinese might also have moved to another place with Sultan Mahmud Shah's followers when Portugese conquered Malacca in 1511.
2. China Trade Relations and Malacca
Intermarriage between Chinese merchants who migrated to Malacca since 15th century with the local women.
Ming goverment changed their trade policy and eliminated the closed-door policy
Malacca Sultanate seeked protection from Ming Dynasty in order to avoid threats from Ayudha.
Started when Emperor Yung-Lo sent a messenger Ying Chin to establish diplomatic relations and explore trade opportunities.
Factors affecting Malay-China Trade Relations
1. Commercial Activities in Malacca
State government of Malacca prospering with trade and diplomatic ties with foreign countries
Strategic geographic position in the international trade route
Distribution center for goods
Local currency made of tin were used
Commercial exchange of goods
Protected zone safe from monsoon threat
Center of spice trade
Strategical locations
