Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s1.19

v1.c5.s1.19

Although the Sui Dynasty of China (581~618) did not last long, there are nevertheless records of diplomatic and commercial exchanges during that period. "Every year in the first month of the lunar calendar, envoys from many countries would come to pay their respects", and "many surrounding tribes would come and present their local products". According to the *Sui Shu*, in the *Section on the Western Regions*, Emperor Yang (reigning from 605-618) dispatched Wei Jie and Du Xingman to serve as envoys to the countries in the Western Regions. They went to Kawmira and brought back cups made of agate, which was a rare precious stone at that time.