 Evidence indicates that Butuan was in contact with the Song dynasty of China by at least 1001 AD.The Chinese annal "Song Shih" recorded the first appearance of a Butuan tributary mission (Lijehan 李竾罕 and Jiaminan) at the Chinese Imperial Court on March 17, 1001 AD.Butuan (or "Buotuan" 蒲端 in Middle Chinese) around that time was a gold mining and trading center in northeastern Mindanao, known for manufacturing metal tools and weaponry, musical instruments, and gold jewelry.