Commercial ports and their importance in fostering trade between China and the Arabian Peninsula from the Song Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty

    The Arabian Peninsula has been of great historical importance due to its distinguished
geographical location, being regarded as an important commercial chain between the East and the West. The main trade routes that connected the Middle East to regions in Asia, Africa, and Europe passed through it. Commercial goods were transported from its ports and centers to various destinations, including China, which was one of the most important centers of trade and exchange in the world, with diverse ports and commercial centers (such as the port of Canton) that attracted Arab Muslim and foreign traders from all over the worldDue to the commercial relations, the regions of the Arabian Peninsula were closely linked to China in diplomatic and political relations during the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the volume of goods exchanged between them, as well as the number of embassies and diplomatic missions exchanged between the rulers and princes of the Arabian Peninsula and the emperors of China from the Song dynasty (960-1279 AD) to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD). The aim of this research is to define the geographical location of the Arabian Peninsula and China and its impact on the diplomatic relations between the two regions, and to highlight the importance of the Arab and Chinese ports and their role in promoting trade exchange between China and the Arabian Peninsula from the Song dynasty to the Ming dynasty