Reasons for Special Administration of Sichuan in Song Dynasty

Song Dynasty adopted a special administration in Sichuan for a long time with three reasons. First, Sichuan was the remote area difficult to access. After the political centre of Song Dynasty was transfered to the east, Sichuan was even farther away from the central government and more difficult for administration. Secondly, the prosperous economy of Sichuan developed from Five Dynasties and Shu Kingdoms, and was highlighed when national economic was shifted to the south. Thirdly, despite its remoteness, Sichuan was at the upper reaches of Yangtze River, which was a strategic place of the whole state. Facing the ferocious attacks from Jin Dynasty and Mongolia, Sichuan played a pivotal role in the existence of Southern Song Dynasty, so the court had to attach great importance to Sichuan and carry out a special administration.