Ideas and Measures in the Administration of the Frontiers of Yunnan in the Qing Dynasty

In the Qing Dynasty, administration of the frontier regions observed the principles of “defense of the central area and proper administration of the frontiers” and “administration of the frontiers mainly by the natives”. This tradition contributed greatly to the consolidation and administration of the frontier regions especially in the first half of the Qing Dynasty. Economically, the Qing Dynasty encouraged immigration to Yunnan in favor of the local development and a reasonable distribution of population. Hence the unprecedented wasteland cultivation by the immigrants. In the meantime, Yunnan was treated as the important place to pay taxes and supply metal products to the central government. Anyhow, Yunnan became the important place for the development of the national economy.