- Port City of Quanzhou as a Starting Point of the Maritime Silk Road
By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia
Beijing: The port city of Quanzhou, located in Fujian province of South East China, has a long history of friendly exchanges with the Muslim world, especially the Saudi Arabia, as this port city had earned the reputation of being the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road.
Silk Road linked the ports of East and West , facilitated the exchanges of ideas and culture through trade and commerce activities.
The Arab and Persian traders used to land in Quanzhou for trade and commerce. The city is rich in cultural heritage from cultural and trade interactions.
In 1999, the King of Saudi Arabia generously donated $300,000 to help establish the Quanzhou Maritime Museum Fujian.
Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative by China in 2013, economic and trade relations between Quanzhou and Middle Eastern countries have strengthened.
From January to February 2024, Quanzhou’s imports and exports to Saudi Arabia reached 6.88 billion yuan (approximately $950 million), a 31.6 percent increase.
During the Song and Yuan dynasties (960 – 1368), the city was one of the starting points for international trade in ancient China. It is reported that Quanzhou was trading with over 100 countries and regions, accounting for 2 percent of the annual national fiscal revenue.
Besides, trade the city holds fame for its oysters and, has gained fame for its exceptional products and possesses distinct advantages in its industrial supply chain and cross-border logistics services.
Today, the maritime trade center has established herself an accessible international trade procurement center, aimed at simplifying cross-border trade for overseas Chinese businessmen. Small and medium-sized enterprises have gained tremendous growth and gone to a global scale in terms trade and commerce benefits.
The port of Quanzhou City has cultural bonds with Taiwan and the city has benefited from Taiwan’s investment in diverse fields during President Xi Jinping’s governance.
In 2015, I went to Quanzhou city and visited the Quanzhou Maritime Museum Fujian, which was insightful experience in terms of tracking back the roots of the Silk Road.
In 2021, “Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China” was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a cultural site.
Today, this ancient port city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architecture style of Quanzhou is a captivating blend that reflects its rich history as a maritime trade center.
The city’s buildings feature traditional Chinese elements alongside influences from various cultures, Arab, Persian, Indian, English, French, Japanese, that passed through its port.
This ancient port has been transformed into a ‘Smart city, it is cool and convenient for tourists.
Here, the tourists can find ancient temples and pagodas with intricate carvings and tiled roofs, while some structures display distinctive Moorish touches, such as arched windows and decorative stonework.
This eclectic mix creates a unique architectural landscape that tells the story of Quanzhou’s vibrant and diverse past as an import trade port of Maritime Silk Road.
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