The Travels of Zheng He
During Yongolo's reign during the Ming Dynasty in the 1400's Zheng He was put in charge of a fleet of about 62 ships. These ships were chosen "To establish relations with foreign countries, to expand trade contacts and to look for treasures to satisfy the desire of the sovereign for luxuries" ("Zheng He and his Voyages"). These ships were run by over 27, 800 men, including sailors, clerks, and other important men that helped Zheng He travel across the globe. Within the ships a large supply of goods were kept including silk goods, porcelain, gold and silver ware, copper utensils, iron implements, cotton goods, mercury, umbrellas and straw mats. In total Zheng He visited over 30 countries and territories trading amongst the natives and royals for other goods. At the time China was a very advanced empire with many goods they produced, and they had a strong economy. Zheng He was financed for 8 more voyages covering almost 28 years out in sea and almost half a decade before Columbus began to set sail. They built trade relations with different empires and countries which included 17 countries who sent their envoys to China, including the Philippines and Malaysia. Zheng He built strong connections with Africa and Asia too by exchanging cultures and goods that helped progress these other empires ("Zheng He and his Travels"). In the end China realized that it was advanced enough to support itself which caused a period of isolation that followed into the Qing dynasty as well, and strict trading laws were created that monitored trading policies (Beck, Roger B). China's advancement as well as Zheng He's voyages helped the rest of the world advanced in sea travel including navigational tools, techniques, as well as ship-building techniques ("Zheng He and his Travels").