Odyssey modelled on ancient trip ( 2004-01-08 23:58) (China Daily)
If he still lived today, ancient Chinese mariner Zheng He (1371-1435) would
have set sail on his eighth oceanic odyssey next year, 600 years after his first
around-the-globe voyage.
As one of the world's greatest navigators, Zheng He travelled to the west
seven times in the early 15th century, sailing more than 50,000 kilometres and
visiting about 37 countries and regions.
But this time the journey will be made by his descendants from across the
Taiwan Straits in a wooden sailboat equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
"Our aim in re-enacting Zheng He's adventure is to promote his spirit,'' said
Alan Hsu, director of Taiwan's Society of Extreme Exploration.
Hsu's society is organizing the three-year event entitled "Gazing at Zheng
He's Era,'' which is expected to cost 150 million new Taiwanese dollars (US$5
million).
An expedition team consisting of explorers and historians will complete the
trip between July 2005 and June 2008 to 20 countries and 50 trading ports
visited by Zheng He.
Professor Li Sheng, director of the Research Centre for China's Borderland
History and Geography Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said
the trip is the best way to mark the 600 anniversary of Zheng He's first
expedition.
"Besides advocating the Chinese civilization and cultural heritage, the event
will help publicize the Chinese people's love for peace and peaceful
co-existence of different cultures,'' he said.
Li's centre provides academic support for the event and will send experts to
the expedition team to conduct studies on the Marine Silk Road.
Zheng He, a contemporary of Cristopher Columbus (1451-1506), sailed from
China to places in South Pacific, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Africa and
possibly America some 87 years before him.
From 1405 to 1433 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zheng commanded a
single fleet whose numbers surpassed the combined fleets of all Europe.
During his 28-year naval career, at least 317 ships and 37,000 men were under
his command, according to historical documents.
The flagship of his fleet, named "Treasure Shi,'' was a nine-masted vessel
measuring 440 feet, nearly 1.5 times the length of a football field and 5 times
that of Columbus's boat.
Zheng's journeys also stimulated a number of important maritime inventions,
including central rudders, watertight compartments and various new types of
sails.
Organizers of the commemorative event are planning to imitate a miniature
wooden sailing boat of Zheng's "Treasure Ship'' in a mainland shipyard.
The 25-metre-long and 5.5-metre-wide vessel can hold 16 passengers at most.
Any Chinese 20-year-old or more with an educational lever higher than high
school can apply to join the expedition.
The application is open to people in Taiwan, the mainland, Hong Kong and
Macao.
Those who are lucky enough to succeed in the selection of an appraisal
committee will become one of the team's 30 full members or its 10 alternative
members between October 2004 and January 2005.
After undergoing six months of training, the expedition team will embark on
the ambitious expedition on July 11 2005.
Odyssey modelled on ancient trip
If he still lived today, ancient Chinese mariner Zheng He (1371-1435) would
have set sail on his eighth oceanic odyssey next year, 600 years after his first
around-the-globe voyage.
As one of the world's greatest navigators, Zheng He travelled to the west
seven times in the early 15th century, sailing more than 50,000 kilometres and
visiting about 37 countries and regions.
But this time the journey will be made by his descendants from across the
Taiwan Straits in a wooden sailboat equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
"Our aim in re-enacting Zheng He's adventure is to promote his spirit,'' said
Alan Hsu, director of Taiwan's Society of Extreme Exploration.
Hsu's society is organizing the three-year event entitled "Gazing at Zheng
He's Era,'' which is expected to cost 150 million new Taiwanese dollars (US$5
million).
An expedition team consisting of explorers and historians will complete the
trip between July 2005 and June 2008 to 20 countries and 50 trading ports
visited by Zheng He.
Professor Li Sheng, director of the Research Centre for China's Borderland
History and Geography Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said
the trip is the best way to mark the 600 anniversary of Zheng He's first
expedition.
"Besides advocating the Chinese civilization and cultural heritage, the event
will help publicize the Chinese people's love for peace and peaceful
co-existence of different cultures,'' he said.
Li's centre provides academic support for the event and will send experts to
the expedition team to conduct studies on the Marine Silk Road.
Zheng He, a contemporary of Cristopher Columbus (1451-1506), sailed from
China to places in South Pacific, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Africa and
possibly America some 87 years before him.
From 1405 to 1433 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zheng commanded a
single fleet whose numbers surpassed the combined fleets of all Europe.
During his 28-year naval career, at least 317 ships and 37,000 men were under
his command, according to historical documents.
The flagship of his fleet, named "Treasure Shi,'' was a nine-masted vessel
measuring 440 feet, nearly 1.5 times the length of a football field and 5 times
that of Columbus's boat.
Zheng's journeys also stimulated a number of important maritime inventions,
including central rudders, watertight compartments and various new types of
sails.
Organizers of the commemorative event are planning to imitate a miniature
wooden sailing boat of Zheng's "Treasure Ship'' in a mainland shipyard.
The 25-metre-long and 5.5-metre-wide vessel can hold 16 passengers at most.
Any Chinese 20-year-old or more with an educational lever higher than high
school can apply to join the expedition.
The application is open to people in Taiwan, the mainland, Hong Kong and
Macao.
Those who are lucky enough to succeed in the selection of an appraisal
committee will become one of the team's 30 full members or its 10 alternative
members between October 2004 and January 2005.
After undergoing six months of training, the expedition team will embark on
the ambitious expedition on July 11 2005.
