Methodical and inquisitive, Cushman explores Chinese junk trade with Siam over two centuries. In the course of her analysis, the author illuminates significant aspects of China's economic development, the implementation of commercial policies by the two nations, and concepts of trade in the east and southeast of Asia.

This edited book is an outcome of the International Conference on ‘India and Iran in Contemporary Relations’, organized by the Centre for Indian Ocean Studies, Osmania University in cooperation with the Iran Consulate General at Hyderabad in India in November 2013. The book addresses the India-Iran bilateral relations dating back to the beginning of the Indo-Aryan civilization in the 7th Century B.C. to the current global controversy over the Iranian nuclear programme and India’s stand on the issue of sanctions imposed by the United States. The book highlights besides economic and commercial ties, the strong cultural relations. The volume analyses in depth the new areas of cooperation and conflict, the extra regional powers, energy and nuclear security and economic and trade cooperation. This book will be of considerable interest to students and scholars of international relations, sociology, politics and economics.

Social network are nowadays inherent parts of our lives and highly developed communication technique helps us maintain our relationships. But how did it work in the early 19th century, in a time without cell phones and internet? A Chinese Hong Merchant in Canton Trade named Houqua (1769–1843), who lived in isolated Qing China, gives us an outstanding answer. Despite various barriers in cultures, languages, political situations and his identity as a Chinese merchant strictly under control of the Qing government, Houqua established a commercial network across three continents: Asia, North America and Europe. This book will not only uncover his secrets and actions in his Chinese social network especially patronage relationships in traditional Chinese society, but also reconstruct his intercultural network, including his unique and even "modern" friendship with some American traders which lasted almost half a century after Houqua ́s death.