China und Asiens maritime Achse im Mittelalter: Konzepte, Wahrnehmungen, offene Fragen

Written sources and archeological evidence provide insights about medieval Asian maritime trade. However, Asia’s maritime stage was not confined to trade relations. How apt should we regard the cherished notion of the "maritime silk road"? What is the status of applying modern concepts and theories such as Braudel’s norms to Asia? And how should we evaluate the role of Zheng He?