Later in the Ming Dynasty, which was between the 14th and the 17th centuries, biannual commodities fairs were held in Guangzhou in January and June when foreign merchants transported to China perfume and pearls for sale at designated areas in the city. That happened more than 300 years earlier than the present day Guangzhou Import and Export Commodities Fair initiated in 1957. They were the earliest export commodities fairs ever held in China.

In 1757, the Qing Dynasty government closed all other ports and Guangzhou became the only port opened for foreign trade. Guangzhou's economy was prosperous during the next 150 years, attracting foreigners to establish commercial offices in the city.

Historian Huang Haiyan explains that part of the history.

"Western merchants from the UK, France, the United States, Holland and other European and American countries came to set up their commercial offices in Guangzhou. Chinese go-betweens came into existence to help these foreign businessmen with customs, and dealing with the government."

In August, 1784, the US merchant marine China Queen arrived at Huangpu Port in Guangzhou. The event marked the beginning of China's direct trade with foreign countries. From there the maritime Silk Road experienced fast development and gradually covered most parts of the world.

Profits from the maritime trade were one of the Chinese government's major sources of revenue during this time. Many dynasties appointed special Commissions of Maritime Affairs in coastal cities including Guangzhou, Mingzhou, present-day Ningbo, and Quanzhou.

These offices were responsible for overseeing maritime trade and providing logistic support and preferential treatment for foreign merchants in China. The maritime Silk Road thus became a bridge for promoting friendly relations and linking the East and West.

In addition to transporting silk and other materials, these sea routes helped stimulate cultural exchanges. Countries throughout Southern and Southeast Asia, West Asia, and Europe dispatched emissaries to China via the new maritime routes to establish diplomatic relations, purchase silk, and engage in trade of all sorts. Silk, as the principal maritime trade commodity, flowed in a steady stream from China to other countries.

Now in Guangzhou, there are 20 more historical sites along the maritime Silk Road. One of the most well known is the South Sea God Temple. One of four ancient Sea God Temples of the country and the only one that still remains, the South Sea God Temple was where the kings and emperors paid tribute to the sea.

Ancient Chinese paintings and porcelain exported from Guangzhou can also be found in museums in the UK, the US, France and Holland.

Associate professor Jiang Yinghe from the history department in Guangzhou's Zhongshan University has this to say about the city...

"Guangzhou was not only an important port for economy and trade between China and other countries but was also the front line for cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world."

That's it for this edition of our special program marking the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games. Thanks for joining us. Be sure to tune in the same time next week for more information about the 16th Asiad and its host city, Guangzhou.

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