The article examines general and particular methods of traditional Chinese policy towards the neighboring countries. The Chinese regulating system was based on Sinocentrism meant that China was the cultural center of the world. The Sinocentric system was a hierarchical system of international relations between China and surrounding countries. Chinese archives prove that all the countries, surrounded China, were divided into two categories: «fan» (internal) and «shu» (external) vassals.

The «shu» vassals’ lands only formally were a part of the territory of the Qing Empire as they were almost independent. The internal vassals (fan) didn't have the nationhood. Ritual observance and execution of the ceremonial of the Chinese court was highly appreciated by the Chinese ruling elite as it was considered as expression of humility and recognition of the Chinese authority.

The peoples, inhabited the lower course of the Amur River, were under the nominal administrative control of the yamen (administrations) in Sanxing town and treated as domestic vassals (fan). The vassals rendered their tribute in their territory. Local peoples perceived it as an ordinary exchange of goods, and they were very interested in it. Demonstrating humility, they could profit by the Chinese civilization benefits, eat rice, wear silk clothes, use iron instruments of labour.