Vassal states were the most important organized component of the Qing Tributary System. The organization and development of the Qing Dynasty’s system of vassal states went through four stages: 1) creation, 2) development, 3) flourishing, and 4) decline. Qing vassal states included three types. The establishment of vassal states was not entirely the result of military con trol. Aside from the vassal state relations directly established by the Qing court, the preexisting system of court - vassal state relations, which predated the Qing, was also maintained. These vassal states were concentrated in Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
