请将下面这段话翻译成英文:
遣唐使
在唐朝时期,遣唐使是日本天皇派遣至中国学习的使团,主要目的是向唐朝学习先进的文明和技术。从630年至838年(日本飞鸟时代至平安时代)的二百六十多年间,日本天皇任命了十九次遣唐使。使团成员除官员和船工外,还有各行业工匠、留学僧和留学生,每次人数少则不到百人多则超过600人,在中国停留半年至一年左右。遣唐使对推动日本社会的发展和促进中日友好交流做出了巨大贡献。
参考译文
Japanese Missions to the Tang Dynasty
The Japanese Missions to Tang China are the missions dispatched by the Japanese emperor to study in China during the Tang Dynasty with a view to learning China’s cultures and advanced technologies. For over 260 years from 630 to 838 (from the Asuka Period to the Heian Period), the Japanese empire sent 19 missions to China. The members of the missions included artisans in all industries, monks studying overseas and students studying overseas in addition to the officials and boatmen, with the number of each mission ranging from less than 100 to over 600 and for durations of stay ranging from 6 months to 1 year. The Japanese Missions to the Tang Dynasty made significant contributions to the social development of Japan and promotion of friendly exchanges between China and Japan.