A Tungusic people, the Jurchen, ancestors of the Manchu, form an alliance with the Song and reduce the Khitan empire to vassal status in a seven-year war (1115-1122).

The Jurchen leader proclaims himself the founder of a new era, the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).

Scarcely pausing in their conquests, the Jurchen subdue neighboring Goryo (Korea) in 1226 and invade the territory of their former allies, the Song, to precipitate a series of wars with China that will continue through the remainder of the century.

Meanwhile, the defeated Khitan Liao ruler has fled with the small remnant of his army to the Tarim Basin, where he allies himself with the Uyghurs and establishes the Karakhitai state (known also as the Western Liao Dynasty, 1124-1234), which soon controls both sides of the Pamir Mountains.

The Jurchen turn their attention to the Mongols who, in 139 and in 1147, ward them off.