'... this is a very important collection of essays for specialists of maritime Asia, who will find it invaluable to their work.' International Journal of Maritime History 'The depth of knowledge and range of interest displayed is impressive...' Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde 'Following the tradition established by Paul Elliott and the finest western Sinologists, his studies are erudite, rigorous and demonstrate his eye for detail.' Oriente 'The present volume is [...] a very successful attempt to review sources under new questions and to introduce some hitherto neglected aspects of China's maritime trade, both in the concrete (commodities, trade relations, etc.) and in the more abstract, conceptual sense (spatial concepts, etc.).' SOAS Bulletin