The famous Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta (1304–1368 AD) is considered one of the most prominent figures in Islamic civilization who left an indelible mark on human history.
اضافة اعلان
His great journey, documented in his famous book, "The Journey of ibn Battuta," known worldwide as "A Masterpiece for the Observers of the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travel," represents a rare cultural document that illuminates the dimensions of the encounter between East and West in fourteenth century AD. It has become a prominent reference cited in historical, social, anthropological, and geographical studies.
This journey constituted a unique model of global cultural interaction, as it intertwined the dimensions of trade, culture, religion, and knowledge, and contributed to shaping Europeans' awareness of distant eastern lands, especially China.
Thanks to this legendary journey, goods, ideas, and knowledge crossed geographical borders, and the horizons of Western vision toward the East expanded. In this context, it is rightly said that Ibn Battuta devoted his epic life to building a solid bridge between East and West, and his influence extended for successive generations, influencing the image of Asia—especially China—in the European and global imagination. The Image of China in Ibn Battuta's Eyes
One of the most prominent milestones in Ibn Battuta's travelogue was his visit to China. This experience left a profound impact, shaping a positive image of China in the minds of Arab and non-Arab readers alike.
The book, with its lines and observations, revealed the close historical ties that linked the Arab world and China in the fourteenth century, highlighting the depth of trade and cultural exchange that brought the two civilizations together. Here, the value of "Ibn Battuta's Journey" is evident not only as a literary or geographical text, but also as a civilizational document that confirms the deep-rooted ties between Arabs and Chinese dating back centuries.
The Historical Symbolism of ibn Battuta's Journey
The historical and symbolic significance of this journey lies in the fact that Ibn Battuta was not merely a traveler describing his observations; he was a symbol who transcended the boundaries of his time, reaching our own times.
His departure from Morocco to China in the fourteenth century was not merely a geographical crossing; it was a cognitive leap that made him a witness to a vast world and one of the most prominent creators of the shared memory between East and West. The best way to celebrate this unique experience is to commemorate the 648th anniversary of his death, a historical occasion that calls for reflection and deserves to be commemorated. Celebrating his memory is not limited to honoring an individual figure, but rather a renewal of the pledge to revive the values of friendship, mutual respect, and cultural dialogue that he established throughout his journey.
The New Book: "Ibn Battuta's Journey in China"
The publishing house behind the new book, "Ibn Battuta's Journey in China," published this scientific and cultural work in China in 2025 by the Intellectual Property Publishing House of the China Patent Office, a well-established institution known for its dedication to publishing works with a cultural and historical dimension that reflect the spirit of dialogue between nations. Its publication, marking the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Morocco and China, serves as an intellectual and historical gift that embodies the symbolic dimensions of this occasion.
This book is distinguished by its collective work, involving a group of prominent Chinese specialists in Arabic language and Moroccan studies, along with Arab researchers, giving it a rigorous scholarly character and a multi-faceted perspective. The editorship was entrusted to the Chinese Intellectual Property Publishing Association, while several academics from major universities and research centers specializing in Arab-Chinese studies supervised its review. The importance of this edition lies in its being not merely a reprint or translation of the travelogue, but rather an integrated knowledge project, divided into five coherent sections that aim to take the reader on a fully immersive virtual journey along the route Ibn Battuta traveled between Morocco and China.
This work combines literary imagination inspired by the spirit of the original text with the geographical and historical reality of ancient trade routes.
It combines literary narrative, historical analysis, and cultural geography, not only translating traditional texts, but also re-reading them in light of modern methodologies in the fields of history and cultural geography.
In addition, the book carries a clear cultural diplomatic dimension, as Chinese official circles considered it a "contemporary revival of the spirit of the Silk Road" and a new bridge that reconnects the broken ties between Arab and Chinese civilizations. Therefore, the publishing house paid great attention to the book's printing and artistic production, making it a document worthy of being gifted to readers, researchers, and cultural institutions in both countries.
Translation as a Bridge of Civilizations
The importance of translating "The Journey of ibn Battuta" into Chinese stems from the fact that it is not merely a linguistic act, but rather a cultural project aimed at documenting the historical relations between Arabs and China. Translation here is a tool for bringing minds together and a key to contemporary cultural diplomacy. It is no exaggeration to say that translation between Arabic and Chinese is a strategic link in promoting cultural dialogue.
Arab-Chinese relations, which have existed since the dawn of history and flourished along the Silk Road by land and sea, have grown in stature in the twenty-first century, necessitating the expansion of academic and intellectual communication. Thus, the translation of literary and scientific works represents a gateway to understanding the other and a space for renewing the bonds of friendship between peoples.
The Journey of Chinese Translations
The twentieth century witnessed three prominent stages in the translation of Ibn Battuta's "Journey of the World" into Chinese:
The first translation: by Professor Zhang Xinglang in 1912, focused on the sections relating to China and India. This translation had a pioneering impact, opening the door for Chinese readers to view a living testimony of their history from the perspective of a Moroccan traveler.
The second translation was completed in 1985 by Professor Ma Jinping, a professor in the Department of Arabic Language at Peking University. He drew on the revised Egyptian version of the book and reworked it to align with modern academic studies.
The third translation was completed by Professor Li Guangbin in 2004, under the supervision of the Royal Academy of Morocco and edited by the scholar Abdelhadi Tazi. This complete translation is considered the most important reference in Chinese circles.
These translations were not merely individual efforts; they represented symbols of the cultural friendship between China and Morocco and evidence of a long history of intellectual exchange.
The Diplomatic and Cultural Dimension of Translation
The importance of these translations extended beyond academic knowledge to the diplomatic sphere. The late King Hassan II was presented with a copy of the Chinese translation in 1987 during an official visit, and the copy was placed in the Royal Palace Gifts Museum due to its exceptional value. King Mohammed VI also praised the later complete translation, emphasizing its role in reviving shared historical memory.
Therefore, Chinese translations of Ibn Battuta's travelogue are strategic keys to understanding the history of Arab-Chinese relations and one of the cornerstones of building bridges of cultural diplomacy.
New Book: "The Genealogy of Sino-Moroccan Relations"
The new work, "Ibn Battuta's Travels in China," is not just a book; it serves as a historical record documenting the history of Sino-Moroccan relations over the past century. It reviews the transformations that the two countries have witnessed over the past sixty-six years of diplomatic relations and paints a beautiful picture of the literary, cultural, and educational relations between the two sides.
It can truly be described as a "genealogy of Sino-Moroccan relations," as it includes testimonies from prominent figures who contributed to consolidating the friendship between the two countries and provides a rich account of the extensive intellectual and cultural cooperation.
Towards Strengthening Civilizational Dialogue in the Twenty-First Century
There is no doubt that Arab-Chinese relations in general, and Moroccan-Chinese relations in particular, have reached a prestigious status in the twenty-first century. Today's world is witnessing a growing need for dialogue and constructive communication between civilizations, especially in light of shared global challenges. In this context, translating and publishing books such as "Ibn Battuta's Journey in China" represents a practical means of promoting understanding and rapprochement between peoples.
Celebrating the sixty-sixth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Morocco and China is not merely a protocol event; it is a renewal of the historical covenant that began centuries ago on the Silk Road and continued through translations and cultural exchanges, reaching today's new horizons of political, economic, and scientific cooperation.
The Novel and the Narration of a Shared History
Chinese President Xi Jinping has indicated that fiction is the best means of international communication. From this perspective, telling the story of Ibn Battuta and the echoes of his journey in China represents one of the most important ways to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
The new book serves as a living testament to the authenticity of the relationship and a symbol of the friendship passed down from generation to generation. Finally: From the Silk Road to the Road to the Future
"Ibn Battuta's Journey through China" is not merely a rereading of a distant past; rather, it is a mirror of a shared present and a compass for a hopeful future. It combines the authenticity of history with the depth of culture, affirming that cultural communication is the ultimate path to building a more equitable and cooperative world.
As the Chinese proverb, cited by President Xi before the Arab leaders, states: "A dear friend is one who is looked forward to before a visit and longed for afterward." Thus, Ibn Battuta's journey remains an enduring testament that true friendship between nations is not measured by geographical distance, but by the depth of hearts, the steadfastness of values, and the sincerity of human communication.
