Zhang Qian's Diplomatic Missions to the Western Regions

Zhang Qian's Diplomatic Missions to the Western Regions

In 138 B.C., Zhang Qian, an official in the Western Han Dynasty, was dispatched by Emperor Wu of Han on a diplomatic mission to the Western Regions with a delegation of over one hundred. While travelling westward through the Hexi Corridor, the envoy was captured by the Huns and detained for more than a decade before finally finding a chance to escape. They continued their journey westward to the intended destination. On their way back, they were detained by the Huns once again but escaped again when chaos among the Huns presented the opportunity to get back to Chang'an. During their decade-long stint in the Western Regions, Zhang Qian and members of the delegation documented in detail the political and economic status, geographic locations, folk customs, and cultures of the states there. This provided valuable information for the Han Dynasty to establish a thoroughfare to Central Asia. In 119 B.C., Zhang Qian was sent on a second diplomatic mission to make Wusun and other states in the Western Regions allies. He persuaded the King of Wusun to exchange envoys with Han. During his stay in Wusun, Zhang Qian sent deputies to Central, West, and South Asia. As a result of their painstaking efforts, many states in the Western Regions sent envoys to the Han imperial court.

Commissioned a task of peacemaking and friendship building, Zhang Qian completed his diplomatic journeys to great success against all odds. The two diplomatic missions erected a bridge between the Central Plains and the Western Regions and laid a foundation for the Silk Road across the East and West. He facilitated friendly exchange and cultural communication between ancient China and various states in the Western Regions and enriched the cultural activities of the peoples therein, making great contributions to the progress of human civilization.

张骞出使西域

公元前138年，西汉官员张骞奉汉武帝之命，率领一百多人第一次出使西域。他们西行进入河西走廊，不幸遭到匈奴扣留，经过长达十余年的留居终于寻机逃出，继续西行直至原定目的地。归途中，他们又遭匈奴扣押，后趁匈奴内乱逃回长安。张骞一行出使并停留西域十余年，详细了解了西域各国的政治经济状况、地理位置、风土人情，为汉朝开辟通往中亚的交通要道提供了宝贵资料。公元前119年，为联络乌孙等西域各国力量，张骞率使团再次出使西域，并促成乌孙国王与汉朝通使。在乌孙停留期间，张骞分别派遣副使到中亚、西亚、南亚广泛联络，相继吸引西域诸国使者来汉交流。

张骞肩负和平友好使命出使西域，一路艰难坎坷，备受辛劳，完成了卓有成效的外交旅行。他的两次出使，打破了中原和西域的隔绝状态，凿通了横贯东西的丝绸之路，促进了古代中国和西域各国的友好往来和文化传播，丰富了各国人民的文化生活，为人类文明进步作出重要贡献。