中国城记:南京和世界紧紧相连

　　Trade was important to China and the goods that China was known for -- silk, porcelain, and art -- were highly sought out by the West. The Silk Road, the overland journey that originated in Europe, through the Arab world and into China via the Gobi desert was at the time of the early Ming becoming more and more dangerous. All parties involved were seeking new routes to trading ports in India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe. This was the time of the early Renaissance and the beginning of the age of exploration in Europe. However, modern history is only beginning to recognize the Chinese treasure fleets helmed by Zheng as the earliest winners in the race.

　　贸易对中国很重要，中国的产品以丝绸、瓷器和艺术最为出名，在西方备受欢迎。丝绸之路，让西方人看到了精美的中国产品。这条路上的另一个源头是欧洲，穿过阿拉伯，通过戈壁沙漠与中国相连。在明朝早期，丝绸之路变得越来越危险。所有的商人都在寻找新的路线，从而与印度、东南亚、中亚和欧洲进行贸易。郑和开拓了一条新路。这时，也是欧洲早期文艺复兴和探索时代的开始。然而，了解历史、认识郑和，学习这位驾驶着中国航海舰队的民族起跑者，对西方许多人来讲，晚了一个世纪。

　　In the early years of the 1400s, the Ming Dynasty as well as Nanjing was reaching new heights of wealth and power. Emperor Zhu Di, in order to show the finer aspects of Chinese culture to the world adopted an aggressive policy of exploration. His goal was to reach out to across the known world and dazzle all who were encountered with the glory of the Chinese and to receive tribute from these countries. This resulted in seven voyages that stretched far and wide spreading diplomacy, establishing trade routes and returning with riches and artifacts never before seen in China.

　　早在1400年前，明朝和南京就达到了财富和权力的顶峰。明朝永乐皇帝朱棣，为了向世界展现杰出的中国文化，实行了积极开放的政策。他的目的是为了认识外面的世界，也让所有了解中国辉煌的人折服，并接受各国的朝贡。这就有了郑和的七次航海，并以此传播外交政策，开拓贸易路线，同时收获财富和艺术。范围之广，所到之远，这在史上绝无仅有。