China's #MaritimeDay falls on July 11 each year to commemorate the voyages of the ancient Chinese navigator #ZhengHe, whose story has been shared by President #XiJinping on many occasions. Now, Zheng's epic journey to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, as far as the Red Sea in West Africa, has become a business card for China's friendly exchanges with other countries. | Xi's Moments

2K views · 56 reactions | Chinese Treasure Fleet: Adventures of Zheng...

Zheng He led a fleet of nearly 300 ships that reached the shores of Africa centuries before Columbus. His armada was a floating city with treasure ships over 400 feet that dwarfed the three vessels later used by Columbus. Between 1405 and 1433 AD he commanded seven voyages for the Ming Dynasty emperor, crossing the Indian Ocean and visiting Southeast Asia, India, the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa. His mission was to forge diplomatic ties and trade links, returning with spices, gems and even