Routledge China's Seaborne Trade with South and Southeast Asia

Explore the history of maritime commerce with this academic collection from Routledge. This volume, part of the Variorum Collected Studies series, presents the second selection of research by Professor Ptak regarding Chinese maritime trade during the medieval and early modern periods (1200-1750). The text examines historical contacts between China and specific regions, including Timor, the Sulu Islands, southern India, and various islands within the Indian Ocean. By analyzing Chinese geographical accounts and trade routes, the work provides a detailed look at how these maritime networks functioned. These records are compared with Arabic and Western colonial period works to provide a broader perspective on historical sea routes. Beyond regional contacts, the study investigates the movement of specific commodities that drove international trade. Readers can find detailed information on the exchange of goods such as sandalwood, coral, horses, tortoise-shell, ebony, and cloves. This book serves as a valuable resource for those studying international business history, maritime trade routes, and the economic connections between China and the wider Asian region.