丝绸之路的历史地理背景——据作者多次讲演整理

A Discourse of the Historical and Geographical Background of the Silk Road--Based on the Author's Lectures

“丝绸之路”虽到1877年才由李希霍芬命名,实际早已存在,但并非由古代中国向外开辟,张骞通西域只是利用了现成的道路。根本原因是古代中国没有对外联系的需求,缺乏了解外界的动力。中国没有利用丝绸之路进行扩张,也没有从丝绸之路获得经济利益,更没有通过丝绸之路主动传播自己的文化。“一带一路”与“丝绸之路”没有直接联系和传承关系。“丝绸之路”的真实历史留给我们更多的是教训,而非经验。

Although the"Silk Road"was not named by Ferdinand Freiherr von Richthofen(1833-1905)until 1877,it had long existed prior to the designation.The"road,"however,was not constructed by ancient China.Zhang Qian(164-113 BC)took the existing road on his way to various central Asian regions.Speaking metaphorically,for ancient China,the"Silk Road"was not a path to gaining economic benefits,nor an effort to expand its cultural influence.For ancient China,there was no need to establish networks with the outside world;thus,there was little interest to explore relations with other countries.China's"Belt and Road Initiative"today is by no means a recreation or a reconstruction of the traditional"Silk Road."Rather,it represents an unprecedented contribution to the progress of the world.