This trade agreement aimed to establish an alliance that would support the emerging Sulu state and secure crucial maritime trade routes, particularly along the Silk Sea Route and the South China Sea. However, due to unfulfilled conditions, the agreement was never fully legitimized.

Historical Context and Purpose of the Agreement

At the time of the agreement, the Sulu archipelago was a key trading hub, with its maritime communities engaged in extensive regional commerce. Both the Sulu kingdoms and the Chinese seas under the Ming Dynasty faced threats from seafaring raiders. Given Sulu’s strategic location, an alliance between the emerging Sulu polities and the expansive Ming Empire under Emperor Yongle was mutually beneficial, allowing both powers to enhance their influence and ensure trade stability through diplomatic relations.

Admiral Zheng He, a Chinese Muslim explorer, played a critical role in fostering ties between China and regional polities. The agreement was negotiated between Zheng He, representing the Ming court, and a Sulu leader—believed by some sources to be "Sultan Mahashari Maulanech I." However, historical records indicate that Sulu was still politically fragmented into three kingdoms at the time, raising questions about the nature of the agreement itself.

The treaty aligned with the Ming Dynasty’s broader tributary system, which sought to maintain stability in maritime trade through controlled diplomatic relations. By positioning Sulu within this system, China aimed to secure safe trade passage while offering military and economic support. For Sulu, an alliance with China provided protection against external threats, including the Majapahit Empire, expanding sultanates, and piracy.

The Legacy of the Agreement

The agreement never fully came to fruition, however, as the Sulu leaders did not meet obligations dictated by the treaty - they failed to provide the necessary territorial map to cement the diplomatic arrangement. Despite its shortcomings, the agreement left an ongoing legacy marked by the beginning of formal diplomatic engagement between China and Sulu.

In 1417, Paduka Pahala, one of Sulu’s three kings, traveled to China with a delegation of 300 to pay tribute to Emperor Yongle. Although he died in China, his visit underscored Sulu’s significance in regional geopolitics. Records indicate that this was the first of two official missions between Sulu and China—the first occurring between 1417 and 1426, following Paduka Pahala’s travels, and the second between 1726 and 1763, during the rise of Western colonial expansionism.

Though the treaty was never formalized, modern Sulu leaders have sought to revive this historical relationship. In 1999, Sultan Jamalul Kiram III traveled to China, seeking to renew economic ties and strengthen diplomatic relations. More recently, in 2017, Sultan Phugdalun Kiram II was invited to China for the 600th anniversary of Paduka Pahala’s death, where Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged the long-standing historical connection between the two regions.

The significance of the 1405 Agreement lies in its modern role as a historical reference point Even centuries later, Sulu leaders have leveraged this early diplomatic engagement to reinforce their political narratives. As such, the agreement remains an important touchstone in discussions on regional history and diplomacy.

REFERENCES

Echeminada, P. (2025, January 21). 1405 China-Sulu Treaty Revisited. Daily Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/2025/01/21/1405-china-sulu-treaty-revisited

Echeminada, P. (2025, January 22). President Xi Jinping Affirms 600-year Sulu-China Alliance. Daily Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/2025/01/22/president-xi-jinping-affirms-600-year-sulu-china-alliance

National Institute of Informatics. (2009).

https://toyo-bunko.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/6226/files/gakuho02_91-1-03e.pdf

Smith, B. (October 25, 2013). Jimalul Kiram III. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10405810/Jamalul-Kiram-III.html

The Enduring Legacy of the East King of Sulu in Chinese-Filipino Diplomacy. (2024, January 7). Asian Century Journal. https://asiancenturyph.com/2024/01/07/the-enduring-legacy-of-the-east-king-of-sulu-in-chinese-filipino-diplomacy/