Study On The Historical Role Of Zheng He’s Voyage And Its Realistic Enlightment From The Perspective Of Political Geography

Zheng He’s voyage to the west, with the pioneering spirit and heroic fearlessness, travelling through thirty six countries and areas for twenty eight years, represents the peak of ancient Chinese ocean navigation course. As the most powerful sea power in the world, Zheng He, adhering faithfully to the peaceful co-existence principles of the Confucian benevolence and good-neighbourliness, coordinating ten thousand nations, settling differences harmoniously, and enjoying a lasting peace, has established "Sino-centric sphere of order" to facilitate the development of marine trade and international relations and strengthen the communication among Asian and African countries.The study, centered on Zheng He’s voyage, employing the method of qualitative analysis, documentation analysis, interdisciplinary perspectives, has analyzed the background of Zheng He’s voyage, and expounded on its historical role, mainly from the perspective of political geography. The following aspects that were ignored in the previous study will be discussed in this paper. First, the contribution of Zheng He’s voyage to the formation and expansion of ocean territory, Chinese distinctive international image established in the world, especially its crucial role in the formation of ocean territory and the establishment of historical rights over the South China Sea; Second, Zheng He’s voyage well embodies the important significance of "Sea Power", strongly proving the "Sea Power Theory" in the political geography:but regrettably, China itself didn’t realize it,leading to "close the border"; Thirdly, the interpretation of "world view" and "national view" in the Chinese traditional culture,the relevant world order and international relations.At last, the author discusses the enlightenment and significance gained from Zheng He’s voyage to our establishing new-mode international relationship. Based on the contemporary new circumstance, new situation and new issues, the following views are concluded:First, peace and development are the theme of the modern world, the principles of peaceful coexistence should be insisted on; secondly, sea power should be attached great importance to through strengthening the control of sea passage; thirdly, inheriting the historical rights over the South China Sea and protecting its islands sovereignty, meanwhile trying to peacefully resolve the dispute over the South China Sea; finally, adhering to opening up to the outside world, and attaching importance to marine development.