In early Ming Dynasty, China was one of the most advanced and developed countries in the world. In order to display the national power and strengthen contacts with other countries, Emperor Chengzu sent Cheng He, a senior general and eunuch, on six voyages to the Western Seas (southeast Asia, west of Brunei and the Indian Ocean) on diplomatic missions.

Zheng He ( 1371 - 1435 ), an ethnic Hui (Moslem) petnamed Sanbao or Eunuch Sanbao, was born in Yunnan province. Due to his brightness and diligence, as well as his achievement in the battle, he won the trust of Emperor Chengzu and was sent to the Western Seas on diplomatic missions. In June 1405, Zheng He embarked on his first voyage. His fleet of more than 200 ships carried well over 20,000 persons, including sailors, soldiers, technism, interpreters, etc. and large amount of gold and silk. The fleet set out from Liujiagang in Jiangsu province, and sailed westward as far to the Red Sea, areas along the way including Zhanchen ( a Vietnamese city ), Java, and Bengal. Then the fleet went back by way of Ceylon and Guli (today's Calicut in Indian). The round tip took two years. In the autumn of 1407, the fleet returned to Nanjing.

Zheng He's fleet were loaded with large amount of gold, precious stones, porcelain and silk which were used as gifts to express goodwill. Some of the countries Zheng He visited also dispatched envoys bearing tribute to Ming court on his ships. Meanwhile Zheng He exchanged with these countries special local products such as jewellery, spice and so on. Emperor Chengzu was satified with Zheng He's achievements. During the seven voyages to the Western Seas, Zheng He sailed as far as the eastern coast of Africa and the Red Sea coast.

During this period, many kings, ambassadors and businessmen came to China. Zheng He's voyages also made great contributions to the world's navigational history. His first voyage was 87 years earlier than Columbus's discovery of America, 93 years earlier than Da Gama's route to the east, 116 years earlier than Magellan's voyage to the Philippines. Zheng He's voyages were a great feat in the history of world. There are still many buildings in present Southeast Asia dedicated to his memory and respect.