The first novel revealing the maritime silk road in ancient Quanzhou, Fujian province was released in Shanghai Culture Center on October 11.

The book launch of China’s first novel revealing the maritime silk road in ancient Quanzhou, Fujian province in Shanghai, October 11.[Photo/qzwb.com]

Written by Yu Qiang, a resident of Hongkou District in Shanghai and a member of Chinese Writers Association, the 300,000 words novel Sentiments on Silk Road and Sea is a history novel taking the background of Chinese explorer Zheng He’s expedition.

According to Yu Qiang, the story takes place in Fengzhou ancient town at the foot of Jiuri Mountainin in western suburb of Nan'an city, Quanzhou, bringing to light the indomitable spirit of young people of southern Fujian in the process of realizing their dream on the maritime silk road. It also reveals love, brotherhood and business friendship along the silk road.“It highlights that the maritime silk road is a road for cooperation and double win, and also a cultural road.”Yu said.

During his writing, Yu Qiang who is already in his 70s not only made reference to large amounts of historical documents, but also personally explored Quanzhou, the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road for three times and even arrived at historical relics of Zheng He’s voyage in the Sumatra Island, Indonesia.

Yu said frankly that it is not easy to finish a novel with such a theme of maritime silk road which covers long time span and involves wide range of contents.

Regarding his journey to Indonesia, Yu praised the significant support he received from the local Chinese when he was there.“Ancestors of many overseas Chinese came to settle there through the maritime silk road.”