宗そう国こく

noun

suzerain; suzerain state

A state that exercises political control over a dependent state, especially in historical contexts such as East Asian tributary systems.

• 清しん朝ちょうは周しゅう辺へん諸しょ国こくに対たいして宗そう国こくとしての地ち位いを主しゅ張ちょうした。

  The Qing dynasty claimed suzerainty over neighboring states.