Zheng He's voyage to the West was an important event in Chinese history, marking the culmination of China's maritime exploration activities during the Ming Dynasty. 2020 marks the 615th anniversary of Zheng He's voyage to the West. This is an important historical event that marks the deepening of China's friendly relations with Southeast Asia, East Africa and other regions.
Zheng He's purpose in going to the West was multifaceted
Demonstrating national prestige: Through Zheng He's voyages, the Ming Dynasty demonstrated its great national power and prosperity to overseas countries, enhancing the Ming Dynasty's influence overseas.
Strengthening Ties: Zheng He's voyage strengthened political, economic, and cultural exchanges between China and overseas countries.
Pioneering**: Zheng He's voyage changed the Ming Dynasty's forbidden sea policy to a certain extent and opened up overseas**.
Searching for Emperor Jianwen: Another theory is that one of the purposes of Zheng He's voyage to the West was to find the whereabouts of Zhu Yunwen, the predecessor of Zhu Di, the missing Ming Chengzu Zhu Di.
Zheng He's fleet to the West was very large. According to the "History of the Ming Dynasty: The Biography of Zheng He", Zheng He's seafaring treasure ships totaled 63, and the largest length was 15118 meters, width 61At 6 meters, it was the largest sea ship in the world at that time. The fleet consists of more than 200 ocean-going vessels of different purposes and types, with more than 20,000 officers and men, which is unprecedentedly large, and the crew is not only large in number, but also extremely tightly organized. Between 1405 and 1433, the fleet visited more than 30 countries and regions in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans, covering a total distance of more than 70,000 nautical miles, equivalent to three times the circumference of the Earth. It was the world's largest voyage at the time.
Between 1405 and 1433, Zheng He's voyage visited more than 30 countries and regions in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. These countries and regions include:
Southeast Asia: Java, Sumatra, Sulu, Pahang, Chenla, Siam.
Indian: Guri, Punggara.
Arabian Peninsula: Adam, Celestial, Zhofar, Khurmus.
East Africa: Mukudushu, Port Beira, Mozambique.
Most of these places are now part of a modern state. This voyage demonstrated China's seafaring technology and spirit of exploration at that time. It was a memorable milestone that showcased China's seafaring technology and spirit of exploration in that era.