People in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu province, gathered Friday at the tomb of Zheng He, pioneer of China's sea exploration, to commemorate the maiden voyage of his fleet.
Zheng He, a eunuch in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), set out on his first sea odyssey on July 11, 1405, from Nanjing with his 200-vessel fleet composed of over 27,000 crew members.
Zheng completed seven sea voyages during his life covering 30 countries in southeast Asia, central Asia, west Asia and east Africa.
It is generally believed by historians that Zheng made great contributions to the economic and cultural exchange between China and foreign countries.
Temples and monuments commemorating Zheng can still be seen in southeast Asian nations like Indonesia and Malaysia.
Those attending the memorial service included officials from Nanjing, history researchers and descendants of Zheng. Zheng became a eunuch after marriage.
Zheng Wei, a 20th-generation descendant of Zheng, said that he felt proud of being a member of the Zheng clan, describing Zheng He as a "great sea voyager" of the nation.
Zheng Wei said that there were over 200 Zheng descendants in Nanjing and some 100 in other regions.
Zheng He died in a voyage returning home in 1433. He was buried near the Niushou Hill in Nanjing with the emperor's favor.
(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2003)
