The Silk Road was an ancient trade route straddling the Orient and the Occident. The initial purpose of the Silk Road was to facilitate the trade of silk. Then, the ever-expanding range of trade greatly enhanced the economic and cultural exchanges between the Orient and the Occident. Nowadays, the Silk Road has become a umbrella term for all East-West exchanges. The land Silk Road has been replaced by the Maritime Silk Road, which gradually evolved into the present Silk Road, promoting common prosperity of all countries. Through this lecture, you can have an in-depth understanding of the development process and significance of the Silk Road.