The first section is an introduction, in which I describe China's relations with its maritime neighbors in the 16th century. The Asia of that time was complex, constantly changing, and vibrant. It was bristling with economic opportunity.
第一部份屬於導引，主要是介紹十六世紀中國與鄰海諸國的關係，此時此地的亞洲是一個複雜、變幻莫測、充滿活力與商機的地域。