Why China want anyone to know the secret of how silk was made?

The Chinese government did not want anyone to know the secret of silk production because silk was a valuable and important part of the Chinese economy. Silk was a major export for China, and the Chinese government wanted to maintain its monopoly on silk production. If the secret of silk production were to become known to other countries, China would have lost its competitive advantage.

In addition to its economic value, silk was also seen as a symbol of Chinese culture and civilization. The Chinese government believed that keeping the secret of silk production would help to preserve Chinese culture and traditions.

The Chinese government went to great lengths to keep the secret of silk production. They prohibited the export of silkworms and mulberry leaves, which are essential for silk production. They also executed anyone who was caught trying to smuggle silkworms or mulberry leaves out of China.

Despite the Chinese government's efforts, the secret of silk production eventually became known to other countries. In the 6th century AD, a Byzantine monk named Theophilus smuggled silkworms and mulberry leaves out of China. He brought them back to the Byzantine Empire, where silk production began to thrive.

The spread of silk production to other countries eventually led to the decline of the Chinese silk industry. However, the Chinese government's efforts to keep the secret of silk production helped to preserve Chinese culture and civilization for centuries.