Final answer:
The Silk Road was the ancient trade route that enabled the export of Chinese goods such as cloth, porcelain, and salt to other regions, serving as an essential commercial and cultural link.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ancient trade route that helped merchants export cloth, porcelain, salt, and other goods from China was C. the Silk Road. This network of interconnected roads facilitated the trade of luxury goods between China and parts of central Asia, India, and the Middle East.
Along the Silk Road, products like silk, floss, porcelain, and iron tools were exchanged and traded for various goods all the way to West Africa and East Africa. Despite the dangers of the route, such as robberies and taxes imposed by middlemen, the Silk Road remained a vital artery for commerce and cultural exchange for centuries.