First of all, during the Han Dynasty, China had close trade with Vietnam. China's ironware, farming and water conservancy technologies were introduced into Vietnam, which greatly improved Vietnam's social and economic life. China imports native products and rare products from Southeast Asia, such as Vietnamese ivory, rhinoceros, hawksbill and pearls. The economic and cultural exchanges between China and Viet Nam have had a positive impact on the economic, cultural and social life of the two countries. Secondly, the opening of the overland Silk Road has also strengthened the economic and cultural exchanges between China and East and Southeast Asian countries, strengthened the ties between the world and expanded China's influence on Southeast Asian countries. On the other hand, the Maritime Silk Road strengthened China's ties with countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia, and expanded the external influence of Qin and Han cultures. It connects the diplomatic relations in Southeast Asia by sea, and expands the scope of China's diplomatic activities with some Asian coastal countries.

Then during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, China continued to communicate with Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and some countries in the Malay Peninsula. There are frequent exchanges between envoys and local products among countries.

Finally, in the late feudal society of China, that is, the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there were some feats of foreign exchanges.

Zheng He's seven voyages to the West in the Ming Dynasty were aimed at enhancing the prestige of the country and strengthening ties with overseas countries, that is, developing friendly relations with Asian and African countries and buying back luxury goods for the imperial court. He has been to more than 30 countries and regions in Asia and Africa, as far as the Red Sea coast and the east coast of Africa. Zheng He's fleet arrived in various countries and was warmly welcomed. Zheng He met the local king and expressed his willingness to make friends with him in the Ming Dynasty. Peaceful trade with local residents, China's silk, porcelain and tea were exchanged for jewels, spices and medicinal materials for the royal family. During Zheng He's voyage to the West, heads of state and envoys from many countries visited China on treasure ships from China. During Zheng He's voyage to the West, he advocated no bullying, friendly coexistence and peaceful coexistence, which established unwritten rules for the exchanges between Asian and African countries and had a far-reaching impact on later generations. The significance of this voyage is unprecedented. Its scale is large, its voyage is far, and it has visited many countries, which makes the world sigh. This is also the most important active diplomatic action in China's history, which has greatly strengthened friendly relations and economic and cultural exchanges with Southeast Asian countries. On the other hand, Zheng He's voyages to the West also promoted a large number of China immigrants to East Asia and Southeast Asia. Since the Tang Dynasty, many people along the southeast coast of China have made a living in Nanyang Islands. After Zheng He's voyage to the West, more and more China people moved to Nanyang Islands and became overseas Chinese. Overseas Chinese brought advanced production technology and tools from the motherland, and worked with local people to develop jungles, mine mineral deposits and plant rubber. Overseas Chinese have made great contributions to the development of Nanyang. Up to now, many people in Singapore, for example, are descendants of immigrants from China.