China has a long history of foreign trade. As early as the pre-Qin period, the ancient Chinese shipped silk and other goods abroad; in the 2nd century BC, the Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road developed during the reign of Emperor Wudi of the Western Han Dynasty connected China with the rest of the world.Trade relations between China and other regions in the world have been developing gradually and continuously. Trade has contributed to the deepening economic and cultural exchanges between China and other countries. While benefiting the whole of humankind, Chinese civilization has also absorbed the achievements of other civilizations, making China and other countries mutually benefit and advance together.This book is the first volume in a series of books retelling the tortuous development of China’s foreign trade. It covers ancient times, recording China’s foreign trade from the pre-Qin period to the early Qing Dynasty.