Zheng He (1371–1433AD) was a great Hui Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat and fleet admiral. He was led the fleet to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Africa for seven times, which was collectively called “Zheng He’s Seven Voyages to the Western Ocean”. It is the greatest diplomatic highlight of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD). His voyages were strongly supported by Emperor Yongle (r. 1402-1424AD), an imperial leader with great talent and bold vision.

Zheng He, originally named Ma He, was born into a Muslim family today’s Yunnan Province in southwestern China in 1371. His ancestors were the Arabian immigrated into China during the Tang and Song dynasties (618-1279). When he was still young the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) conquered his province in 1378, and he was taken to the imperial Chinese capital to serve as a court eunuch.

Zheng He distinguished himself by helping Zhu Di, the son of Zhu Yuanzhang defeat Zhu Yunwen, Emperor Jianwen, the grandson of Zhu Yuanzhang. He eventually became a trusted adviser and general of Zhu Di, the later Yongle Emperor (r. 1403-1424). In return for meritorious service, the Ma He received the name Zheng He from the Emperor Yongle.
Between 1405 and 1433, the Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions to establish and improve links with southeastern and western Asia. Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions.
Zheng He's fleets visited Arabia, East Africa, India, Malay Archipelago and Thailand (at the time called Siam), dispensing and receiving goods along the way. There are speculations that some of Zheng's ships may have traveled beyond the Cape of Good Hope. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk. In return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes. His voyage was more than half century earlier than Columbus’s geography discovery.
Zheng He’s great fleet of gigantic ships was the largest and strongest one in the world, far larger than any other wooden ships in history. Zheng He's first voyage consisted of a fleet of 317 treasure ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen, with each ship housing up to 500. The 1405 expedition consisted of 27,800 men and a fleet of 62 treasure ships supported by approximately 190 smaller ships.
It is hard to imagine that this big fleet was to seek for friendly communication between China and other countries. But it is true. Zheng He’s mission was to establish diplomatic tie with other Asian countries. No robbery or invasion was found in his voyages. This is Chinese nation: strong but not bully, powerful but not hegemonic.