Furthermore, since the 5th century various states in the archipelago had sent trade envoys to China. Products traded at the time were pepper, cloves, nutmeg, sandalwood, rice, cloth, and so forth. The ethnic groups involved in activities were Javanese, Malay, Ambon, Ternate, Bugis, Makassar, Banjar, Indian, Arabic, and so forth. Some of the important ports in the islands of Indonesia in the 16th century were Ternate, Tidore, Hitu, Palembang, Jambi, Pasai, Pidie, Aceh, Gresik, Tuban, Demak, Jepara, and Banten. Malacca was also an important transit port in Southeast Asia