China is not exactly famed for discovering or settling any new overseas territories, however, the country would never have grown as large and influential as it did without at least a few brave souls who dared to venture off the map and into the history books.

Admiral Zheng He.

Zheng He himself traded here and loved it. He made it possible for many products to be traded here!

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This excerpt is adapted from Dr Parag Khanna's new book, The Future Is Asian (Simon & Schuster, 2019), now out in bookstores.

Zheng He/Cheng Ho

Zheng He (also known as Cheng Ho) is one of the most famous admirals in Chinese history, and is best known for his treasure voyages. These voyages served to project the power and the wealth of the Ming Dynasty to the known world and were sponsored by the Ming emperor, Yongle, himself.

A recent investigation off the coast of Sri Lanka is offering hope that the lost treasure ship of Zheng He, one of the most famous admirals in Chinese history, may finally be found. This ship sank almost six centuries ago but newly found traces of evidence may finally lead the researchers to the sunken treasure ship.

Ming Dynasty emperor Yongle inspecting tributes from the West African kingdoms after admiral Zheng He's Ming treasure ship expedition