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In ancient times, silk from China found its way overland to India, the Middle East and Rome, along what became known as the Silk Road. A trading route across the sea was also 1 along the coasts of the Indian Ocean centred around Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Here, merchants from China and many other places met to 2 trade deals, which also led to more 3 of each other’s cultures. Over the centuries, further trading allowed more exploration of the regions to the west of China, as 4 in Du Huan’s Record of My Travels in the eighth century.
Later, the Ming Dynasty further 5 relations with these regions. Between 1405 and1433, seven large fleets sailed west on voyages of trade and exploration. These fleets were a sight to behold and were in a league of their own at that time. Under the 6 of Zheng He, they set sail from the South China Sea across the Indian Ocean to the mouth of the Red Sea, and then to the east coast of Africa. African 7 families sent gifts such as giraffes as gestures of friendship in 8 for gold, silk, and spices. Although China 9 from further expeditions after 1433, these land and sea routes remained 10 channels between other cultures for centuries.