Technical Conditions for the Prosperity of Maritime Silk Road in Song and Yuan Dynasties

The Song and Yuan Dynasties were the heyday of the Maritime Silk Road.

Let's talk about the Song Dynasty. During this period, shipbuilding and navigation techniques were significantly improved, compasses were widely used in navigation, and the navigation capacity of China merchant ships was greatly enhanced. During the Song Dynasty, it maintained friendly relations with southeast coastal countries, and Guangzhou became the largest overseas trading port. "Yuanfeng Ship" marks the beginning of another development stage of China's ancient foreign trade management system, and folk maritime trade has been greatly developed with the encouragement of the government. However, in order to prevent the outflow of coins, the Southern Song government ordered silk and porcelain to be exchanged for foreign imports in 12 19. In this way, the quantity and scope of China silk and porcelain spread to the outside world are increasing. The continuous development of the Maritime Silk Road in Song Dynasty greatly increased the deep financial revenue of the imperial court and port cities, and promoted economic development and urbanization life to some extent.

Let's talk about the Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty adopted a mercantilist policy in economy and encouraged overseas trade. The countries and regions that trade with China expanded to Asia, Africa, Europe and the United States, and formulated the first systematic foreign trade management rules in the history of China. The development of the Maritime Silk Road entered its heyday.