Remembering the navigator who ruled the waves

Commemorative events

The museum exhibitions start a programme of celebratory activities elsewhere in Beijing, in Shanghai and the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu and Yunnan, according to Yao Mingde, an official at the Ministry of Communications and the chief co-ordinator of the events.

On July 6, a grand celebratory event called Zheng He's Seagoing Day will be held in Taicang of Jiangsu Province, where Zheng's fleet began their inaugural expedition from Liujiagang Port.

The event is expected to attract thousands of locals, Chinese and foreign Zheng He scholars, experts in Ming and maritime history, and overseas Chinese from countries the navigator visited.

On July 7, the Ministry of Communications and Shanghai municipal government will jointly stage a marine rescue role play, the largest of its kind in China, in the East China Sea.

Among the major celebrations is the declaration of July 11, the day Zheng's fleet began its maiden voyage in 1405, as national Maritime Day. A grand gathering is scheduled to be held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Meanwhile, a TV documentary called "1405 Zheng He and His Seven Voyages to the Western Oceans" will be aired on CCTV-1.

The first Shanghai International Maritime Exhibition which will showcase Zheng He's naval expeditions and maritime equipment will be held from July 8-16 in Shanghai.

Other celebrations include quiz shows and summer campuses' lectures covering different aspects of Zheng He's adventures, seafaring and navigation, for young students in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong in July, and a three-day international symposium held in Nanjing and Taicang of Jiangsu Province.

On June 28, the State Postal Bureau unveiled a new set of stamps marking the anniversary in Taicang. On the same day, Hong Kong Post issued a series of stamps commemorating the navigator.

In late June, an album "The Zheng He Epic" was jointly published by Chenguang Press, Yunnan Art Publishing House and Yunnan People's Publishing House in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, the birthplace of Zheng He.

With hundreds of precious historical pictures, the album gives an kaleidoscopic display of the whole life of Zheng He, with focus on his sea voyages.

Editor: Jessie