China boasts a long history of foreign trade. As early as the pre-Qin period, residents of the country began to ship silk and other merchandise on outbound voyages. From the 2nd century BCE on, China has been connected to the rest of the world via the Overland Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road initiated in the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty.

Trade relations between China and other regions in the world have been developing gradually and continuously. Trade has contributed to deepening economic and cultural exchanges between China and other countries. While benefiting the whole of humankind, Chinese civilization has also absorbed the achievements of other civilizations, allowing China and other countries to experience mutual benefits and advance together.

This is the first volume in a series of books retelling the arduous development of China's foreign trade. It covers ancient times, recording China's foreign trade from the pre-Qin period to the early period of the Qing Dynasty.