Splendors of Quanzhou Past and Present - William N Brown Kartoniert (TB)

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 governm ent 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.