The Chinese government plans to launch a series of programs to commemorate Zheng He (1371-1431), an ancient Chinese navigator who commanded seven overseas voyages and toured many parts of Asia and Africa 600 years ago.

The celebrations will run into 2005, and end with a grand memorial conference in July of 2005. A number of exhibitions, seminars, quiz contests, lectures and summer camps will be staged.

China Central Television plans to shoot a serial documentary on Zheng's journeys.

Zheng, a Chinese Muslim whose original name was Ma He, got his official surname from Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty.

Between 1405-07, Zheng made his maiden voyage to India. He made another six overseas journeys to reach as far as East Africa in 1433.

Zheng took thousands of officials and sailors, up to 28,000 with the largest of his fleets which numbered over 100 vessels.

Unlike European explorers, whose main object was to find colonies, gold, spices and slaves, Zheng was ordered to convey the emperor's authority, goodwill and gifts to overseas states. Zheng He has long been regarded by the Chinese as an imperial envoy of friendship, rather than an explorer in the real sense.

(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2003)