1371–1567: Sea Ban (海禁)
Lasted for two-third of Ming’s rule
Three years into his regime, in December 1371, Emperor Hong-wu started the maritime bans. It was ruled that all international trade must be conducted through official, government-sanctioned entities. This prohibition policy lasted for nearly 200 years, more than two-thirds of Ming's rule. The regime also detailed the penalties for violation of the prohibitions, an example being those carrying imported prohibited items to be hanged.
1371: Forbade going into the sea
According to Veritable Records of Ming Tai-zu (明太祖实录), in December of 1371, the Ming ordered that “people on the coast should not go out to sea privately.”
1381: Forbade communicating with foreigners
According to Veritable Records of Ming Tai-zu (明太祖实录), in 1381, in order to prevent Japanese piracy, the Ming “prohibit people on the seas from communication with overseas countries.”
1384: Forbade fishing at the sea
In January of 1384, the Ming forbade fishermen from fishing at sea.
1387: Forbade residency on islands
In 1387, the Ming ordered those living in Haitan Island (海坛岛) off the coast of Fujian Province to move inland in order to prevent attack by the Japanese pirates.
1390: Forbade trading with foreigners
In 1390, the Ming clarified, “Today, Guangdong, Guangxi, Zhejiang and Fujian fools are ignorant. They often travel outside and trade their goods, so they are strictly prohibited…. Private dealings should be punished.”
1394: Forbade using foreign goods
In January of 1394, the Ming declared, “It is forbidden to use fan incense and fan goods by the people.”
1567: Long-qing Switch loosened maritime ban
It was not until 1567 when Ming’s 13th emperor, Long-qing (隆庆帝, reign 1567–1572), ascended the throne that maritime prohibition was loosened. The country at the time was in disarray due to years of corruption and mismanagement. He embarked on a series of policies to reform the government and improve the livelihood of the people. While the rest of the country was still under the maritime ban, he opened up the Haicheng (海澄) port in Fujian Province for foreign trades — all foreigners except the Japanese, that is. The new emperor issued the edict, “Remove the sea ban, adjust overseas trade policies, and allow private individuals to trade east and west.”
Impact on the Kaifeng Jewish community
The closure of sea traffic had a significant impact on the Kaifeng Jews. While during the Yuan, more Jews moved into China with the Mongols, during the Ming, this has stopped. For those who have arrived before the policy of isolationism, being cut off from their co-religionists in the rest of the world increased the rate of their assimilation into the host society.