Long before jesus was born, the Han Chinese has already begun
trading with the Romans
'The Roman historian Florus describes the visit of numerous envoys,
included Seres (Chinese), to the first Roman Emperor Augustus, who
reigned between 27 BC and 14 AD:
"Even the rest of the nations of the world which were not subject
to the imperial sway were sensible of its grandeur, and looked with
reverence to the Roman people, the great conqueror of nations. Thus
even Scythians and Sarmatians sent envoys to seek the friendship of
Rome. Nay, the Seres came likewise, and the Indians who dwelt
beneath the vertical sun, bringing presents of precious stones and
pearls and elephants, but thinking all of less moment than the
vastness of the journey which they had undertaken, and which they
said had occupied four years. In truth it needed but to look at
their complexion to see that they were people of another world than
ours." ("Cathey and the way thither", Henry Yule). '
From wikipedia, if its correct.
