Overview of the development of foreign trade in ancient China during the Western Han, Sui, Tang, Song and Yuan dynasties.

China’s Ancient Foreign Trade

1. Western Han Dynasty: ① After Zhang Qian passed through the Western Regions, envoys and merchants of the Han Dynasty traveled westward one after another; ② Through the Silk Road, they communicated with Central Asia, West Asia, and South Asia. ③Carry out frequent trade exchanges with countries in the South China Sea, including the Indian Peninsula and other places through the Maritime Silk Road.

2. Sui and Tang Dynasties: ① Foreign trade flourished; ② The Tang government encouraged merchants from various countries to trade with China and allowed them to live long-term; ③ There were frequent foreign trade activities in Chang'an, Luoyang, Guangzhou, and Yangzhou. The Chinese are called "Tang people". Active foreign exchanges. Japan sent "envoys to the Tang Dynasty" to China 13 times to study Tang Dynasty culture. The Tang Dynasty Jianzhen traveled eastward to spread culture; There were frequent trade exchanges between the two sides, and Silla products ranked first in imports from the Tang Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, China had frequent exchanges with Tianzhu. In the early years of Zhenguan, Xuanzang traveled to Tianzhu westward and wrote the "Records of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty"

3. Song and Yuan Dynasties: Foreign exchanges entered a period of frequent exchanges, and overseas trade developed. Foreign exchanges reached North Korea and Japan in the east, and reached the Arabian Peninsula and some countries on the east coast of Africa in the west. The income from foreign trade in the Southern Song Dynasty occupied an important position in the fiscal revenue. During the Yuan Dynasty, most of them were world-famous commercial metropolises. The Italian Marco Polo lived in China for more than ten years and wrote "The Travels of Marco Polo".

The Southern Song Dynasty was a dynasty with extremely frequent diplomacy in ancient Chinese history, which also led to the unprecedented economic prosperity of the Song Dynasty. Agriculture, printing, papermaking, silk weaving, and porcelain making all experienced major developments. It has made outstanding achievements in the navigation and shipbuilding industries, and has done business with more than 50 countries in the South Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and other regions. The development of the south during the Southern Song Dynasty helped the Jiangnan region become an economic and cultural center. In the late Southern Song Dynasty, Quanzhou became the world's largest port and the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the Song Dynasty set up a market at the junction with Jin and Dali to exchange what was needed.

The foreign trade of the Yuan Dynasty was more prosperous than that of the previous generation. Sea-going ships could go directly to Japan, Champa and other places. The Yuan Dynasty set up shipping companies at various ports to conduct trade with each other. The Yuan Dynasty had close trade with Goryeo and Japan. Goryeo's ginseng and other native products were popular in mainland my country. my country's cotton textile technology was introduced to Goryeo at this time. Japan recruited engraving and printing craftsmen from China to develop Japan's printing industry.

From the Han Dynasty, through the Sui, Tang, Song and Yuan Dynasties to the early Ming Dynasty, the feudal government pursued an opening policy.

(1) Performance: ① political and military diplomatic exchanges; ② economic and trade exchanges; ③ scientific and technological cultural exchanges.

(2) Background: ① The country is strong and its economy and culture are in a leading position in the world; ② Sea and land transportation are developed and convenient;

(3) Impact: It has enhanced the understanding, contact and cooperation between China and foreign countries. Friendship promotes economic and cultural exchanges and development.