第二次世界大戰以後，英國放棄了對印度的宗主權統治。在中國新疆喀什西南面的坎巨提部，為保障自身利益計，遣使向中國政府表達了「內附」的訴求。國民政府頗為重視，外交部及相關部門就坎巨提「內附」問題進行了曠日持久的研商，並展開了一些實際性的舉措。就其過程而言，可以觀察到，儘管傳統帝國的身影已經遠去，但是，帝國時期的「朝貢體系」仍然微妙地影響著國民政府的政治與外交實踐。在朝貢歷史想像和現實主權訴求的糾結中，國民政府「達則兼濟天下」，將「改藩設治」、確立對坎巨提直接管轄作為中心任務予以運作，以民族國家主義追求至高無上的主權地位；「窮則獨善其身」，藉由朝貢意識維護雙方既有的宗主權關係。

India and Pakistan had clashed over Kashmir since 1946. During the conflict, Kanjut, a region located in the south-west China's Xinjiang Kashgar, sent emissary to the Chinese government requesting for ”allegiance” to protect their own interests. The Nationalist Government attached great importance to the request and the Foreign Ministry and relevant departments discussed this issue repeatedly to launch practical measures. During the process, although the Nationalist Government was not an Empire anymore, it's diplomatic practices were deeply influenced by the operation of traditional ”tributary system.” In order to preserve both the historical imagination of tribute and the national sovereignty, the Nationalist Government attempted to either directly control of Kanjut if the Government was dominant, or to keep the suzerainty relationship with Kanjut when the Government was powerless.