Final answer:
Foreigners who kowtowed and paid tribute to the Chinese emperor were granted the right to trade in Guangzhou and received recognition from their ruler. They were also reciprocated with generous gifts from the emperor, though they did not receive tribute in return, Western-style diplomatic relations, or cultural leadership in Asia.
Step-by-step explanation:
What would foreigners receive in exchange for kowtowing and paying tribute to the emperor?
In historical terms, when foreigners engaged in the act of kowtowing and paying tribute to the Chinese emperor, they received several benefits. Chiefly, this act signified their submission to the imperial throne, which entailed obligations from both parties in a hierarchical but reciprocal relationship. The foreigners would gain the right to trade in specific designated areas, such as the city of Guangzhou (Canton), which was particularly significant for merchants seeking to access the Chinese market. They also received recognition for their ruler, which helped legitimize the ruler’s authority both domestically and internationally. This was symbolized by the reception of the emperor’s official seal, a powerful sign of status bestowed upon the envoy to take back home. Moreover, in terms of trade, the emperor provided a considerable return in gifts, which typically exceeded the value of the tributes brought by the foreigners, illustrating the emperor's benevolence.
It should be noted, however, that the options ‘the right to receive tribute in return’, ‘Western-style diplomatic relations’, and ‘cultural leadership in Asia’ were not typically outcomes of the tribute system. The system itself was more a means of establishing a sort of ceremonial and trade relationship than fostering Western diplomacy or conferring leadership status in Asia.