Ming dynasty court eunuch and admiral who led seven great fleets across the Indian Ocean between 1405 and 1433, reaching Arabia and East Africa. Chinese know the voyages as 郑和下西洋.
Literally 'Zheng harmony'. Zheng He was originally named Ma He, but was given the surname Zheng by the Yongle Emperor. The name 'He' was bestowed upon him after his military service.
Zhèng Hé xià Xīyáng de gùshi zài Zhōngguó guǎngwéi liúchuán.
The story of Zheng He's voyages to the West is widely circulated in China.
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Born 马和 into a Muslim family, he was given the surname 郑 by the Yongle Emperor in 1404 for his war service. Since 2005 China has marked 11 July, the date of his first voyage in 1405, as its Maritime Day.