Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 5, 2022

 

Zheng He’s Voyage to Africa and the Mutual Appreciation of Chinese and African Civilizations

(Abstract)

 

Li Xinfeng

 

Zheng He’s seven voyages, of which four were to Africa, were the pinnacle of the ancient history of Sino-African exchanges. There is no doubt about the historical fact that Zheng He visited Africa during his voyages. African scholars and politicians generally acknowledge Zheng He’s voyage to Africa as a symbol of friendship and exchange between China and Africa and as a model of mutual appreciation of civilizations. However, some people outside Africa have questioned Zheng He’s voyages, without any historical support. In the new situation, Chinese and African scholars should work together to break “West-centrism” and promote the Zheng He spirit of “benevolence and harmony, tolerance and openness, righteousness over profit, peace and sharing,” which will not only lay a solid historical foundation for contemporary Africa to “look East” and for China and Africa to build the high quality “Belt and Road Initiative,” but also set an example for cultural exchange and mutual appreciation between Chinese and foreign civilizations.