The Silk Road The well-known Silk Road is a series routes linking the East to the West(connecting the East and the West). With more than six thousands kilometres distance, it was named due to the silk trade in ancient China. Those businesses made through the Silk Road played an significant role in the civilization (development) of many areas, such as China, South Asia, Europe and the Middle East. It is the Silk Road that introduced four great inventions, including word, gunpowder, the compass, printing, into the whole world, as well as China's silk, tea and porcelain. Meanwhile, Europe also exported various goods and plants through the Silk Road to meet the China's requirements. （to meet the Chinese market demand）(to meet the needs of the Chinese market)(meet/fulfill/satisfy a requirement )