Zheng He worked untiringly to develop Sino-foreign relations throughout the course of his career. His initial voyages succeeded in establishing an initial reputation, while the later voyages concentrated on impressing the world with China's magnificent material and spiritual civilization.

Champa, a Frequent Port of Call

Champa was a small country located in central Vietnam. Its population depended primarily on fishing for their livelihood. Rice was the staple grain, and goats were the main source of meat. When Zheng He's launched his first voyage from Changle, Fujian Province in the third year of the Yongle reign period (1405 AD), the first stop the fleet made was at Champa. Champa provided a safe harbor along the route of the western voyages, and became one of Zheng He's frequent ports of call. According to Ming Dynasty historical records, Zheng He visited Champa five more times, establishing a solid friendship with the local populace. The Chinese cultural influence introduced by Zheng He can still be seen in the architecture of Champa's palaces.

Making Friends in Semudra

After reaching Java, Zheng He's fleet continued west to Semudra, a small country located in northwest Sumatra in present-day Indonesia. Semudra was situated on the main maritime route between East and West. All ships traversing the Straits of Malacca had to pass by Semudra, leading it to become a flourishing maritime trade center.

Zheng He's fleets visited dozens of widely separated countries and regions. Semudra served as a major staging area, where the fleet took on supplies before splitting up to follow different routes to various destinations. The Ming government attached great importance to establishing friendly relations with Semudra. Zheng He's voyages were instrumental in achieving this goal.

A Devout Buddhist Kingdom, Siam

In Zheng He's time, Xianluo (Siam, present-day Thailand) was a treasure trove of ruby and sapphire jewelery; jade, gold, and silver ornaments. Even more breathtaking were the diamonds, exquisitely carved by master artisans. On each occasion that he visited Siam, Zheng He traded Chinese silks, porcelain, and other specialties for these precious items. Chinese porcelain enriched and beautified the lives of the people of Siam, while Chinese architectural design and stone carving had a great influence on Thai esthetics.

Exchange with Ceylon

Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) was known in ancient times as Shizi or Sinhala. During the 15th century, it was a renowned trade center, as well as an important staging area for transoceanic voyages. Ceylon was a famous center of Buddhism, with a large Buddhist population and numerous Buddhist temples throughout the country. Zheng He and his entourage had a deep respect for the teachings of Gautama Buddha. Upon arriving in Ceylon, they made generous offerings of incense and gifts, held Buddhist ceremonies, and contributed funds to construct a Buddhist temple. Zheng He's Buddhist activities greatly enhanced the friendship between China and Ceylon, establishing a strong foundation for future diplomatic exchange. The magnificent ceremonies conducted by Zheng He's delegations demonstrated to believers from around the world the piety and devotion of China's Buddhists, further increasing China's influence abroad.

Zheng He's Pilgrimage to Mecca

The holy city of Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia, was the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam. Mecca is the most sacred site in the Muslim world. It is where the prophet Mohammed first started teaching and is known as the cradle of Islam.

During the Ming Dynasty, numerous countries to the west of China were followers of Islam. By assigning Zheng He, a devout Muslim, to lead diplomatic missions to these countries, the Ming emperor established a common religious ground for developing friendly relations. As a Muslim, Zheng He had a strong desire and religious duty to make the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. By successfully reaching Mecca, Zheng He was instrumental in forging ties between the Ming Dynasty and the Islamic countries of the Middle East.

Zheng He worked untiringly to develop Sino-foreign relations throughout the course of his career. His initial voyages succeeded in establishing an initial reputation, while the later voyages concentrated on impressing the world with China's magnificent material and spiritual civilization.

Establishing Relations with Aden

The kingdom of Aden (present-day Aden, Yemen), located at the southern end of the Red Sea, was an important international trading port of the ancient world. Aden was a wealthy country with abundant commodities, including diverse plants and animals. Among the many rare animals Zheng He's delegation encountered in Aden was the giraffe, which they thought to be a qilin, an auspicious animal of Chinese legend. Aden possessed a flourishing commercial sector, as well as fully developed handicraft, goldsmithing, and silversmithing industries.Following Zheng He's initial commercial contacts, the Ming Dynasty initiated formal trade relations with Aden in the 14th year of the Yongle reign period (1416 AD). Over the course of several visits, Zheng He engaged in extensive trading in Aden, bringing in large quantities of silk, porcelain, and other Chinese specialties prized by the countries of the region. The King of Aden issued a special edict to the populace, permitting them to engage in unlimited trade with the Chinese fleet, and encouraging them to offer their most precious treasures for sale.

Trading with Dhufar

The port of Dhufar in present-day Oman, located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian peninsula, was a famous ancient maritime trading center where merchants from many countries converged. During the 19th year of the Yongle reign period (1424 AD), ambassadors from Dhufar visited China in the company of envoys from Aden and La'sa. With the strengthening of friendly relations between Dhufar and China and the assistance of the King of Dhufar, Zheng He and his delegation were able to undertake extensive trade with the populace.

During this time, the people of China and those of many overseas countries were eager to do more business together. The government of Dhufar supported this, calling upon the populace to trade with Zheng He's delegation. The Chinese delegation primarily offered practical items such as silks and porcelain in exchange for spices and medicines such as frankincense, aloe, and peony. From the type of goods offered to the bartering methods employed, this qualified as grassroots, rather than official, trade.

Exchange with India

Between1405 and 1433 AD, Zheng He led seven western voyages and visited over thirty countries and regions. Eight of these, including Calicut, Quilon, and Cochin, were located in India. Zheng He's visits to these countries strengthened both political and cultural ties. In addition to his official contacts with the religious kingdoms of India, Zheng He's fleets made China's special products available to the people. Among these goods were satin and damask textiles, thin colored silk, blue and white patterned porcelain, musk, mercury, and woven mats. Among the Indian products that Zheng He brought back to China were textiles, spices, precious stones, pepper, coral, colored terrycloth bedclothes, coconut, betelnut, and rhinoceros horn. This mutual trade greatly enriched the lives of both the Chinese and Indian people. Even today, intact blue and white porcelain pieces dating from the Ming Dynasty can still be found in Cochin, and the distinctive nets used by the local fishing people are known as "Chinese nets." These items were closely linked with Zheng He's western voyages.

The King of Manlajia (Malacca) Visits China

Zheng He made stops at the kingdom of Manlajia (Malacca) on each of his seven western voyages. Malacca had gained its independence with the assistance of the China, and was no longer subject to harassment by Siam. During the ninth year of the Yongle reign period (1411 AD), King Paramesawara of Malacca took passage on one of Zheng He's treasure ships to visit China and express his gratitude to the Ming Emperor. Leading a 540-member delegation, including his wife and retainers, he brought with him gifts of pearls, carnelian, sea tortoises, coral, cranes, fabric, Celebes black apes, and white muntjac deer.

Emperor Zhu Di offered King Parmesawara and his entourage a royal welcome, enabling them to personally experience the Ming Dynasty's policy of friendly foreign relations. Even today, numerous traces of Zheng He's visits still exist in Malacca, and many stories and legends about him continue to be told.