论明朝勘合（朝贡）贸易的性质

明朝，由于国内外的政治、经济压力，屡屡实行海禁政策，而勘合制度是其实施海禁政策的重要手段，勘合应用领域主要扩展为行移往来与对外关系。由于勘合对朝贡年限、停船港口、进贡船数和随从人数以及贡品的种类等都作了严格的规定，一方面加强了国家对朝贡贸易的有序管理；另一方面，则促使了大规模走私的形成。

The Nature of Tribute Trade in Ming Dynasty

Ming Dynasty has from time to time implemented ban on maritime trade due to the economic and political pressure from home and abroad. Tribute trade as one of the measures to impose the ban is used mainly for the purpose of foreign relations. The strict limitation on the tribute year, entry port, number of tribute boats and delegation and the types of tributes has on the one hand strengthened the management of tribute trade and on the other hand stimulate the widespread smuggling.