AN EPOCH OF GLORY OF CHINESE DIPLOMACY AND NAVIGATION
Journal Title: Revista Romana de Studii Eurasiatice - Year 2005, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
600 years ago, in 1405, in Liujiahe Port, the greatest fleet of the XVth Century raised its anchors. The fleet left with precise tasks aiming to enlarge the sphere of influence of the Chinese civilization and China’s trade exchanges. The imediate task was to reestablish and broaden the relations of the Ming dinasty with the countries all over the world starting with those in South-Eastern and South Asia, continuing with those in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and those of the Eastern coast of Africa and from there further away. The armada represented the upmost of the experience accumulated during the centuries by Chinese shipbuilders and navigators. It was formed by over 200 big and medium sized oceanic sampan type ships, owned the most advanced navigation technic of the time and has embarced over 27 000 persons. It was commanded by an outstanding personality of the Chinese diplomacy and navigation – admiral Zheng He and by a team of high class navigators and diplomats. A short presentation of the development of Chinese navigation and of the foreign policy of a visionary Emperor of the Ming dinasty offers the readers a historical background for understanding the events which took place in the first four decades of the XVth Century. The vivid description of the seven voyages made by admiral Zheng He in 28 years (1405-1433) explains the remarcable successes in attaining the diplomatic, political and trade goals of the voyages, but at a cost too high to be continued. China closed her doors and isoleted herself, to her and the world’s detriment.
Authors and Affiliations
ANNA-EVA BUDURA
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