After the Portuguese settled in Macao in the mid-16th century, Macao thrived rapidly as a transit port between China and other countries. The 200 years from there until the early 19th century was a crucial period for China to export its goods to the world. Chinese goods, such as silk and porcelain, were exported in large quantities from Macao’s ports to Europe, Japan and even America. The rise of Macao expanded the scope of world trade on the Maritime Silk Road and made historical contributions to the facilitation of dialogue and exchange between different civilisations.

 

The Maritime Silk Road contributed to the formationof Macao’s urban characteristics and is ingrained in the city’s blood. Even nowadays, traces of the Maritime Silk Road can still be clearly seen in the city’s urban texture and architectural remains, and even in the spiritual culture, such as religion and lifestyle. In May 2019, Macao officially joined the City Alliance of Maritime Silk Road Conservation and World Heritage Nomination, which is dedicated to reaching a national and international consensus on the formation of transnational cultural routes related to the Maritime Silk Road, thereby protecting the Maritime Silk Road’s legacy and giving full play to its active role in expediting and supporting the realisation of a globally shared vision under the Belt and Road Initiative. It is hoped that Macao’s 11 historical sites related to the Maritime Silk Road will serve to contribute to the promotion of the world heritage nomination work and foster cultural exchange and cooperation regarding the Maritime Silk Road, thereby bringing into full play Macao’s role as a platform for exchange and co-operation where traditional Chinese culture prevails and other cultures flourish in harmony.