the decline of the silk road contributed to the advent of the age of exploration in europe, which had a profound impact on the history of mankind. from the 15th to 18th century, there were major changes in human history. the europeans continued to expand their hold on maritime activities globally, and more importantly, the great discovery opened up the age of exploration and brought in an exciting new era of world maritime trade. at this time china was one of the most import-ant participants in the age of exploration. the span from the reign of kangxi to the outbreak of the first opium war saw the trade history of the qing dynasty along the belt and road for nearly 200 years.