Documentary on Zheng He's adventures

ZHENG He, the famous Chinese admiral, led seven epic voyages to more than 30 countries between 1405 and 1433.  

The famous Ming Dynasty's admiral had travelled to countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Kenya. 

“Zheng He's seven epic voyages spanning some 28 years were monumental in Chinese history and the great maritime achievement of its time. 

A mural of Zheng He in his hometown of Kunyang, China.

“The voyages were the biggest naval expeditions ever mounted at the time, gathering knowledge and wealth from Indochina and Africa for China's Ming imperial empire,” said National Geographic photographer Michael Yama-shita. 

Inspired by the Ming Dynasty's admiral, Yamashita went on a year-long journey last year to take still photographs in 12 countries.  

He later spent another five months (between April to August) this year to shoot a television series on the Chinese admiral. 

The two-part television series on Zheng He, who is also known as Laksamana Cheng Ho locally will make its debut on National Geographic Channel (Astro Channel 52) on Sunday, Dec 11 at 8pm.  

Treasure Fleet: The Adventure of Zheng He (Laksamana Cheng Ho) is brought by the National Geographic Channel and Cathay Pacific Airways.  

The two-hour documentary features Yamashita's adventures in retracing the voyages of Zheng He 600 years ago. 

The journey took Yamashita from Yunnan in China to Africa's Swahili coast to some of the most amazing ports and destinations in the world.  

“The journey itself was a great opportunity to travel extensively on the South-East Asia Silk Road and a great adventure for me.  

Yamashita was speaking at a press conference in conjunction with the opening of Treasure Fleet: The Adventures of Zheng He exhibition at Mid Valley Megamall recently. 

Also present during the press conference were Cathay Pacific country manager Peter Lee and National Geographic Channel Asia senior vice president David Gunson. 

Yamashita added that the journey took him to 12 countries, including Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, Yemen, Kenya and Zanzibar. 

On why he chose Zheng He as the subject for his story, Yamashita said he was fascinated by the man, mainly because he did not know who he was initially. 

As a photographer specialising in Asian topics, he said he had never heard of the name.  

Though Zheng He was well known in Asia, so little is known about him in the outside world. 

“In 2003 the buzz started with the publication of Gavin Menzies book 1421: The Year China Discovered America. 

“After a little research, I realised in many ways he was the Chinese Marco Polo, another explorer I knew well,” he said.  

As a Muslim eunuch, he believed Zheng He must have lived his life as an outcast.  

He added that the project had opened his eyes on certain aspects, especially on facts that many viewers may not be aware of. 

He said Westerners see history from a Euro-centric point of view – Columbus started the age of discovery and Vasco de Gama opened the trade routes to the Far East. 

“But in Zheng He, we have a true Asian hero who explored the world fully 90 years before the European age of exploration,” he said. 

Lim viewing the still photos taken by Yamashita (right) at the exhibition.

When asked about his future project, Yamashita said he would continue exploring other topics on China.  

One of the possibilities, he said, was a project on the relationship between China and Greece in conjunction with the upcoming 2008 Olympics to be held in Beijing, China.        

The Zeng He story featuring some of Yamashita's photographs was published in the National Geographic magazine in July. 

The Zeng He series is produced by Saga Pictures, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saga Media International Inc., which was founded and is jointly owned by Yamashita, Jonathan Finnigan, the film director and Frederick Chan, a Hong Kong businessman, acting in capacity of co-executive producers for the Zheng He production project. 

Meanwhile, the public can catch a glimpse of what is going to be featured in the television series by viewing the still photos taken by Yamashita.  

The photos are currently on display at Mid Valley Megamall until tomorrow. 

The exhibition entitled Treasure Fleet: The Adventures of Zheng He (Laksamana Cheng Ho) features selected photos taken during Yamashita’s journey to retrace the epic voyage done 600 years ago.  

The National Geographic Channel Asia is working together with Cathay Pacific Airways again for this project. 

The photographs include locations in China, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Yemen and Oman in an efforts to tell the story of Zheng He’s voyage. 

The exhibition was officiated by Deputy Information Minister Datuk Donald Lim.