Muslims , mainly Arabs , travelled to China to trade . In the year 760 , the Yangzhou massacre killed large numbers of these traders , and a century later , in the years 878 – 879 , Chinese rebels fatally targeted the Arab community in the Guangzhou massacre . Yet , Muslims virtually came to dominate the import and export industry by the Song dynasty ( 960 – 1279 ) . The office of Director General of Shipping was consistently held by a Muslim . Immigration increased during the Yuan dynasty ( 1271 – 1368 ) , when hundreds of thousands of Muslims were relocated throughout China for their administrative skills . A Muslim , Yeheidie'erding , led the construction project of the Yuan capital of Khanbaliq , in present-day Beijing
Guangzhou massacre
Guangzhou massacre
Religion in China