LI-FAN YAN

Pinyin Lifan Yuan, governmental bureau established in the 17th century by China's Ch'ing (Manchu) dynasty to handle relations with the peoples of Inner Asia. The first bureau of its kind in the history of Chinese administration, it signified the growing interest of China in Inner Asia. The office appointed governors to supervise Chinese territory in Inner Asia and Tibet, granted permits to merchants to trade in these areas, took charge of Russian students and traders who came to China, and supervised the Russian religious mission in Peking. In 1861 responsibility for Russian affairs was taken over by the newly created foreign office, the Tsungli Yamen. The Li-fan yan continued in existence until 1906, when it was reorganized as the Ministry of Dependencies.