Chinese maritime exploration

Chinese maritime exploration refers to the period from the early 15th century when China, under the Ming Dynasty, launched large-scale sea expeditions led by Admiral Zheng He. Using massive ships, these voyages aimed to establish trade, showcase China's power, and gather intelligence across Asia, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. They demonstrated advanced navigation skills and a desire to expand influence through diplomacy and trade rather than conquest. After Zheng He's death, China largely ceased these explorations, focusing inward until the modern era of global maritime activity.