Why is China considered an active participant in shaping globalization?

“Silk-Silver Exchange” refers to the flow relationship of silk and silver formed through trade between China and Western countries during the 16th to 17th centuries.

During this period, countless merchants, sailors, and migrants traveled regularly each year between Fujian, China, and Acapulco, Mexico, aboard galleons following the rhythms of monsoons and ocean currents. They transited through Macau, China, and Manila, Philippines, transporting Chinese treasures like silk and porcelain to the Americas and returning with American silver to China.

A Spanish sinologist has studied this history and authored the book “Silk-Silver Exchange in the Monsoon Seas: East Asian Migration, Trade, and Culture in 16th-17th Century Sino-Western Relations.” The book reveals how Asian countries, particularly China, actively participated in shaping globalization through trade, culture, and other interactions.

The sinologist recently discussed this history of China’s participation in international trade and shared thoughts on China’s current economic position.

Interview summary follows:

Question: The opening of new sea routes during the Age of Exploration made commercial activities increasingly active, especially in Asia. How was the “Asian hub” of global trade formed?

Answer: At that time, Fujian merchants brought processed goods to Manila, Philippines, demonstrating high levels of development in technology, organization, and commerce. Living alongside them in Manila were Japanese, Indians, French, British, Italians, and indigenous islanders.

The operation of the Manila Galleon trade route from Zhangzhou’s Yuegang in China to Manila, Philippines, and then to Acapulco, Mexico, attracted merchant ships from Asian ports to converge in Manila, making the region’s commercial network highly active and significantly increasing global trade volume.

Question: Fujian, located on China’s southeastern coast, has numerous ports and a long tradition of commerce. Your book details the commercial activities of Fujian merchants in Manila during the 16th-17th centuries. What role did they play in global trade connections?

Answer: In the 16th century, Fujian merchants took advantage of gradually loosening maritime restrictions to open trade routes to Manila. Although Spain and the Ming dynasty failed to reach an official trade agreement, these merchants and migrants from Fujian closely connected Manila with southeastern China.

Prior to this, East Asian maritime trade was mostly confined to regional scope. However, the Ming dynasty’s demand for silver coincidentally matched Spain’s mining activities in the Americas, thereby driving changes in global trade patterns. Meanwhile, Chinese silk and porcelain quickly became sought-after luxury goods in international markets. Fujian merchants not only engaged in trade but some also settled in Manila. By the late 16th century, economic exchanges between Spaniards and Fujian merchants were highly profitable.

Question: What role did the “Silk-Silver Exchange” trade system play in forming the global economic landscape of that time?

Answer: International trade in precious metals and luxury goods intensified competition among European powers, giving rise to globalization trends. Spain and Portugal gradually lost their dominant positions, replaced by the rising Netherlands and Britain.

Cross-cultural trade involved not only economic interests but also required understanding cultural characteristics of different regions, as well as consumption and production patterns, while respecting diversity and complementarity. The transoceanic exchange of silk and silver not only promoted long-distance navigation but also brought unprecedented cultural exchange, with different ideas, beliefs, technologies, literature, and customs beginning to flow and spread globally.

At that time, the East Asian monsoon region was entering a period of commercial development. Maritime merchant groups from various places converged in the same ports, engaging in both competition and cooperation. Manila attracted not only Chinese merchant ships but also vessels from

Silk-Silver Exchange

The Silk-Silver Exchange refers to the historical trade relationship, particularly between the 16th and 19th centuries, where European merchants exchanged American-mined silver for Chinese goods like silk, porcelain, and tea. This exchange was a cornerstone of the first global trade network, fueling China’s economy and establishing Manila and other ports as vital commercial hubs. The massive influx of silver into China also had profound effects, eventually becoming the basis for its monetary system.

Fujian

Fujian is a coastal province in southeastern China with a rich maritime history dating back to ancient trade routes. It is renowned for the architectural legacy of the Minnan people, particularly the multigenerational Tulou earth buildings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The province is also the origin of the traditional tea ceremony known as Gongfu tea and was a historic gateway for Chinese diaspora, especially to Southeast Asia.

Macau

Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China, located on the southern coast. It was a Portuguese colony from the mid-16th century until its handover back to China in 1999. This unique history is reflected in its famous historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring a blend of Chinese and Portuguese architectural influences.

Manila

Manila is the capital city of the Philippines, located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay. Founded in 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, it served as the center of Spanish colonial government for over three centuries. Today, it is a bustling, densely populated metropolis known for its historic Intramuros district, a walled city from the Spanish era, and its vibrant blend of cultures.

Acapulco

Acapulco is a major port city and beach resort on Mexico’s Pacific coast, famous for its stunning bay and vibrant nightlife. Historically, it was a crucial trading port during the Spanish colonial era, where the Manila galleons arrived from Asia with valuable goods like spices and silk. Its iconic La Quebrada cliff divers remain a symbol of the city’s daring and adventurous spirit.

Mexico

Mexico is a country with a rich history rooted in ancient civilizations like the Maya and Aztec, which were later transformed by Spanish colonization. This fusion is visible in its vibrant traditions, cuisine, and UNESCO World Heritage sites such as pre-Columbian cities and colonial towns. Today, Mexico’s culture is a dynamic blend of indigenous and Spanish influences, celebrated worldwide.

Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia with a rich history shaped by centuries of Spanish colonization, followed by American rule. Its culture is a vibrant fusion of indigenous Malay traditions with significant Hispanic and American influences, evident in its festivals, cuisine, and religion. This unique heritage is showcased in historic sites like the Baroque churches and the ancient rice terraces of the Cordilleras.

Zhangzhou’s Yuegang

Zhangzhou’s Yuegang, located in Fujian province, was a major seaport and a vital hub of the Maritime Silk Road during the Ming Dynasty (16th-17th centuries). It was one of the few legal ports for private maritime trade with Southeast Asia and beyond, flourishing as a center for cultural and economic exchange. Its history is a key part of China’s legacy of foreign trade and overseas communication.