Publication Date:
2024-04-04
Description:
This open access book explores the past and present of Quanzhou (Zayton) and the rich diversity and tolerance that kindled Quanzhou’s innovativeness and helped it prosper both commercially and culturally—values that are today being embraced by China’s global trade partners. Quanzhou (Zayton), Marco Polo’s port of departure and Columbus’ goal in China, was not only the start of the Maritime Silk Road and the Middle Age’s greatest port but also centuries ahead of its time in its tolerance and diversity. The fabled “City of Light” had 7 mosques for its 40,000 Muslims, some of whom served in government, as well as 3 Franciscan cathedrals funded in part by the emperor, Jewish synagogues, and centers for Nestorian Christians, Hindus, Taoists, Manicheans, Jains, etc. As Franciscan Bishop Andrew of Perugia wrote in 1322, “Tis a fact that in this vast empire, there are people of every nation under heaven, and every sect, and all and sundry are allowed to live freely according to their creed.” In 2021, UNESCO designated “Quanzhou, Emporium of the World,” as a world heritage site, and the city is now the hub of the Belt and Road Initiative, the 21st Century Silk Road, which was inspired by ancient Quanzhou.
Keywords:
Maritime Silk Road
;
Admiral Zheng He and Sinbad
;
Chinese White Porcelain
;
Chinese Marionettes
;
Koxinga and Zhengchenggong
;
Southern Shaolin Kung Fu
;
Belt and Road Initiative
;
Islam in China
;
Ibn Battuta in China
;
Nestorian Christians in China
;
China UNESCO World Heritage
;
thema EDItEUR::N History and Archaeology::NH History::NHF Asian history
;
thema EDItEUR::J Society and Social Sciences::JH Sociology and anthropology::JHB Sociology
;
thema EDItEUR::J Society and Social Sciences::JH Sociology and anthropology::JHB Sociology::JHBL Sociology: work and labour
;
thema EDItEUR::D Biography, Literature and Literary studies::DS Literature: history and criticism::DSB Literary studies: general::DSBH Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000
Language:
English
Format:
image/jpeg
Format:
image/jpeg
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