Chinese Treasure Fleet Adventures of Zheng He Documentary
Zheng He is a famous Chinese Ming dynasty admiral that was responsible for leading seven voyages to more than 30 countries including Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Kenya and Tanzania between 1405 and 1433 with his Treasure Fleet. Zheng He and his crew gathered wealth and knowledge which made Zheng He’s voyages to become monumental in Chinese history and be considered as the greatest naval expeditions of its time. However, after the seven voyages, Zheng He and his crew were forgotten for almost 600 years by china and the world.
The documentary begins by discussing the sudden fleet that arrivied in the Swahili Coast in Africa. It was a huge Treasure Fleet that arrived from China that’s called ‘The Dragon Throne. The Dragon Throne was one of the biggest fleets to exist in the world’s ocean until the 20thcentury. However, many people were uncertain whether the dragon throne fleet ever arrived since it left the Coast suddenly. Therefore, the documentary Chinese Treasure Fleet Adventures of Zheng He features Yamashita’s journey in retracing the voyages of Zheng He almost 600 years ago. Placing Zheng He as a source of inspiration, Yamashita, a National Geographic photographer went on a journey for a full year to celebrate the 600thanniversary of Zheng He’s maiden exploration voyage.
Zheng He spent almost ten years in Yunnan. In 1382, Ming troops were sent to overpower the Mongols in Yunnan which led to the execution of Zheng He’s father and taking Zheng He to the Ming court to serve. Zheng was then brought to a palace in Nanjing where he served a prince who appointed him to be the admiral of the treasure fleet. Zheng He was set to sail in 1405. Whenever facing a threat in the sea, Zheng He would use his military powers to avoid and deal with such threats. Throughout his journey, Zheng passed by many countries including an island that he visited in Indonesia that’s called ‘Java’ in which they honored Zheng by dedicating a temple by his name. Zheng He also passed by Sri-Lanka but he faced a conflict between the ethnic groups which resulted to the Buddhist chief refusal to pay tribute to the Chinese Emperor which made Zheng He to invade some island in Sri-Lanka. Zheng He also went to India and settled there with his fleet for months as they would fill the ships with pearls, stones, coral and spices like pepper. India became China’s biggest trading partner at that time. Zheng He also came to Yemen and the Middle East to trade for frankincense. However, the Emperor Zhu Di died of illness which drew an end to the treasure fleet journey. Their journey made china gain new trading partners and formed many relationships with a lot of countries.
Noof Almansoori
Water Final Project 