This question refers to the following information.
"The Chinese are all infidels: they worship images, and burn their dead just like the [Hindus]. The King of China is a Tartar, and one of the descendants of [Ghenghis] Khan…In all the Chinese provinces, there is a town for the [Muslims], and in this they reside. They also have cells, colleges, and mosques, and are made much of by the Kings of China…
When we approached this city [of Hangzhou] we were met by its judge, the [elders] of Islamism, and the great merchants. The [Muslims] are exceedingly numerous here. This whole city is surrounded by a wall: each of the six [districts of Hangzhou] is also surrounded by a wall. In the first reside the guards, with their commander. I was told that, in the muster-rolls, these amount to twelve thousand…In the second division are the Jews, Christians, and the Turks who worship the sun: these are numerous, their number is not known: and theirs is the most beautiful city. Their streets are well disposed, and their great men are exceedingly wealthy. There are in the city a great number of [Muslims], with some of whom I resided for fifteen days; and was treated most [honorably]…"
Ibn Battuta, Voyages, 1332–1346 C.E.
Which of the following conclusions about the period 600 C.E.–1450 C.E. is most directly supported by the passage?
(A)Long-distance contact between civilizations stagnated. (B)New religious traditions overturned prior lasting religious beliefs. (C)The empires of steppe nomads united trade links across Eurasia. (D)Technological developments spread across trade routes.
C