The influence of Zheng He's voyage to the West on China

The influence of Zheng He's voyages to the West on the survival and development of China's overseas immigrants: Zheng He's voyages to the West lasted for 28 years, involving 65,438+200,000 people, and went to Yu Wanli for ten times, reaching more than 30 countries and regions successively, which was a great pioneering work in the history of human navigation. According to relevant data, in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, many Chinese came with Zheng He's fleet and stayed for a long time, becoming early overseas Chinese. Under the influence of Zheng He's voyage to the West, "... the people in Fujian and Guangxi built ships and waded into the sea, flocking to them, and even bought fields and married people to stay behind. 1 "By the middle and late Ming Dynasty, the number of overseas Chinese in Nanyang had exceeded100000." It can be said that Zheng He's voyages to the West not only opened the "Maritime Silk Road" and opened the door to China's foreign trade, but also indirectly expanded the geographical knowledge of China people, raised people's expectations of immigrant income, promoted more China people to go to Nanyang and other places to do business and make a living, and had a positive impact on the survival and development of China immigrants overseas and the formation of overseas Chinese society.

First, the follow-up effect of Zheng He's voyage to the West.

Zheng He's initial motivation for going to the Western Seas, whether he preached "kingly way" (the power of China), "studying abroad" (settling overseas) or "avoiding troubles" (seeking the emperor of literature, eliminating future troubles), can be regarded as an adjustment of the foreign policy of the Ming government, which objectively played a positive role in opening up China's foreign channels, developing foreign trade, establishing the relationship between suzerain and vassal, and promoting peaceful diplomacy, and produced a lasting follow-up effect.

First of all, Zheng He's voyages to the West enhanced the prestige of China. Ming Taizu's Legacy says: "China is better if four ethnic groups are suitable". Therefore, the Ming government listed North Korea, Japan, Dasha country, Xiaosha country, Annan, Zhenla, Zhancheng, Sumatra, Guawa and other 15 countries as "non-expropriation countries". Ming Taizu Chengzu had the idea of "all nations come to Korea" and "four foreigners treat guests" to satisfy the vanity of feudal dynasties by "showing off foreign troops and showing China's prosperity". It can be seen that Zheng He's voyages to the West are official and have strong political significance. During Zheng He's voyage to the West, he defeated pirate groups and conspirators who attacked by force three times, defended the interests of the Ming government with jewelry trading and self-defense firearms, publicized the national prestige and improved the reputation of "China"; Through "treating people with courtesy and guiding people with kindness", it has promoted the contact between China and other parts of Southeast Asia and had a far-reaching impact on overseas immigrants in China. According to Liang Qichao's Biography of Zheng He, the Great Navigator of the Motherland, "After Zheng He's voyage to the West, no fewer than 500,000 to 600,000 people moved to Nanyang Islands, and 7 million people intermarried with aborigines." The demonstration effect of Zheng He's voyage to the West created conditions for China immigrants to emigrate in large numbers, and promoted the formation and development of overseas Chinese society, which was also the far-reaching social foundation for overseas immigrants to worship Zheng He.

Secondly, Zheng He's voyage to the West promoted the development of overseas Chinese society. According to historical records, China people began to go overseas from the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Xu Fu led 3000 people to Japan in the Qin Dynasty, which was the first large-scale overseas migration in China's history. However, the real formation and development of overseas Chinese society was after Zheng He's voyage to the West. The success of Zheng He's voyage to the West attracted more and more China people to emigrate overseas, forming a large number of Chinese villages or towns and a relatively stable and complete overseas Chinese society. After the Opium War, China fell into a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society. On the one hand, due to the bloody exploitation of the rulers and the long-term political turmoil, especially the large-scale infiltration of colonial capital, local businessmen and craftsmen went bankrupt one after another, a large number of farmers were displaced, and people everywhere were miserable. On the other hand, after the Opium War broke out, the Qing government was greatly weakened and almost delayed. In order to maintain the backward feudal autocracy, the Qing government signed many treaties that humiliated the country, including ceding land, opening coastal trading ports, and recognizing the legitimacy of western powers recruiting Chinese workers. In fact, the Maritime Prohibition Treaty was also abolished, which further intensified the development of overseas immigrants and formed a relatively mature overseas Chinese society.

Thirdly, Zheng He's voyages to the West provided convenient conditions for China immigrants. As we know, since the invention of the compass in Song Dynasty, China's navigation technology has made great progress. Zheng He's voyages to the Western Seas not only opened up overseas channels, but also opened up routes connecting Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and East Africa, leaving many precious navigation materials and detailed records of the places he passed, which was of great help to China people in emigrating overseas. In order to promote the friendly exchanges between China and Southeast Asia, the Ming government set up the "Four Translation Rooms" in Nanjing, which was attached to the Hanlin Academy, and was used to train foreign language talents from countries closely related to China. At the same time, by solving the border troubles, setting up a propaganda department, supporting the propaganda department of Laogang, and remonstrating with the King of Siam, the China pirate group and the pirates of Mount Ceylon were dealt a heavy blow, the threat of pirates and conspirators was basically eliminated, the interests of overseas nationals were safeguarded to a certain extent, and it was convenient for China people to travel to and from the Nanyang Islands, making it possible for a large number of residents in the coastal areas of China to move out. In this way, mainly in the coastal areas of Guangdong and Fujian, the vast number of poor farmers went abroad and were forced to make a living overseas. It is estimated that in the hundred years since the Opium War, the number of people going abroad in China is estimated to be no less than150,000.

Second, Zheng He's voyages to the West are conducive to the survival and development of China's overseas immigrants.

Wu Han, a famous historian, once made the following comments on Zheng He's historical achievements in his voyages to the West: (1) Economic benefits. Zheng He used porcelain, silk and tea to go to Nanyang to learn art, which benefited both the government and the people. (2) political success. The national prestige spread far and wide, and the kings of Nanyang bowed their heads and came to the court, willing to be ministers. (3) Cultural communication. Treasure ships come one after another, and messengers come and go, so that Southeast Asian countries are infected by the Chinese style. (4) The increase of overseas Chinese immigrants and the development of its influence. The status of Chinese in Nanyang has suddenly improved, and Chinese people have gradually gained the faith of local people with their sensitive and hardworking skills. It should be said that Mr. Wu Han's evaluation is quite reasonable. Zheng He's voyages to the West expanded the living space of China people overseas, ensured the safety of China's sea route to Southeast Asia, and played an important role in the survival and development of China immigrants.

First of all, Zheng He's voyages to the West strengthened relations with Southeast Asian countries and improved the living environment of China immigrants. Zheng He's voyages to the West were mainly "South Asia", which is the Nanyang Islands today. After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the positive development of foreign friendly relations was mainly carried out through the exchange of missions, foreign "tribute" and gifts from the Ming government, which was characterized by "favoring one over the other". The Ming government treated the tribute envoys with courtesy, even if "private goods came, they paid double the price". Zheng He's voyages to the Western Seas exactly carried out the feudal ideas of "respecting virtues and softening people" and "cherishing the monarch makes the world fear", which made the friendly exchanges between the Ming Dynasty and Southeast Asian countries reach its peak, and the kings of Southeast Asian countries visited China one after another, prompting them to implement a more relaxed overseas Chinese policy. According to historical records, in the 14th year of Yongle (14 16), that is, after Zheng He completed four missions abroad, there were successively Guli, Claw Silicon, Mancijia, Zhancheng, Ceylon Mountain, Mugushu, You Shan, Nanbaili, Buci, Adan, Sumen Ansai, Marin and Sass. At the right time, all the envoys packed the hall. After Zheng He's voyage to the West, he set up transshipment stations in Southeast Asia, such as Sanfa in Jia Xi, Si Shun in Indonesia, Semarang in Guawa, and Giant Port in Sumatra, which served as stopovers for fleet rest, supply, accommodation for sick attendants and reception of overseas Chinese. Taking Manzgah as the trade center, establishing a central stronghold and carrying out voyage activities improved the living environment of China immigrants to a certain extent, and then a large number of overseas Chinese moved to Nanyang. The formation of Nanyang Overseas Chinese Center actually began with Zheng He's voyage to the West. In the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Xie's Kao Dong Kao Xi also recorded that there were 1,000 or even tens of thousands of overseas Chinese in Java, Kalimantan, the Philippines and the Malay Peninsula.

Secondly, Zheng He declared "Wang Wei" when he went to the West, which improved the political status of China immigrants. According to historical records, wherever Zheng He's fleet went, they first "presented their gifts", paid an audience with the king according to national etiquette, and presented precious gifts from China. Whenever Zheng He's fleet arrived, China immigrants living in Nanyang Islands rushed to tell each other and shouted "Three Treasures Eunuchs" to come to see us. The main reason is that the local Chinese deeply feel that Zheng He has brought national prestige, and the local people, after seeing Zheng He's huge fleet, also think that China immigrants are backed by a powerful country, so they naturally dare not despise it. Southeast Asian countries also have reverence for China because of Zheng He's visit, which can be seen from Manchia and Sulu Wang's delegation to China. Since accepting the seal of the Ming Dynasty, from July in the 9th year of Yongle (141) to September in the 8th year of Xuande (1433), King Mancijia visited China three times with his princess and his entourage, and was warmly received by Chengzu and Xuanzong, which deepened the traditional friendship between Southeast Asia and China. Overseas Chinese have always been concerned in Manciga. For example, King Manhija appointed overseas Chinese as port owners to handle merchant ships in China and zhina. After Zheng He's voyage to the West, King Sulu knew that China was a powerful and friendly country with a vast territory and rich products, so he took a princess, a prince and his entourage, and a huge delegation of more than 340 people to visit China. When King Sulu arrived in China, he was given a grand reception by Ming Chengzu, and the bustling scene of China made them linger. King Suludong died in Dezhou, Shandong Province on his way back to China. Except for the eldest prince who returned to China to inherit the throne, his princess, second son, third son and a dozen others all stayed to guard the tomb, but they were unwilling to return to China and eventually died in Texas. His descendants settled in the northern suburb of Dezhou City, Shandong Province, and An Hewen became their surname. Chinese in Brunei also believe that "since (Zheng He) Wang Jinghong came to Brunei, the status of Chinese has been greatly improved". eight

Thirdly, Zheng He's voyages to the West brought advanced production technology and enhanced the development ability of China immigrants. In the early years of Yongle, the supply of grain and cotton cloth in China was sufficient, the handicraft industry was prosperous, and the shipbuilding and metallurgical industries were relatively mature, which was in sharp contrast with the backward countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia at that time. After Zheng He's voyage to the West, he brought exquisite industrial products from China. According to books such as Ying Ya Sheng Lan, An Examination of East and West, and Western History, these items include blue and white porcelain, celadon dishes, musk, burnt beads, camphor, oranges, tea, lacquerware, umbrellas, gold and silver, iron tripod, copper coins, and lake silk. After meeting the king according to the national etiquette, Zheng He traded the goods he brought with the local people, and China's silk and porcelain were very popular with them. Zheng He's fleet "has traces everywhere, cutting mountains and clearing roads, digging springs and taking springs", and 10 advanced production technologies and tools have been continuously introduced, which has played an important role in local reclamation and economic development in Southeast Asia. Over time, this form of barter became popular rapidly, which produced the brand effect of "China Goods" in Southeast Asian countries. For the local overseas Chinese who are operating, it is undoubtedly free to advertise for them, cultivate the development ability of local Chinese and open up the market space of China goods. The vast number of Chinese immigrants also buy goods directly from China through various channels, making their region quickly become an important local economic, commercial and trade center, which has played a decisive role in the local social and economic development.

Fourthly, Zheng He's voyages to the West inherited China culture and enhanced the national cohesion of China immigrants. Zheng He's voyages to the West are not only about "recruiting troops, awarding prizes and trading", but also following the concept of "spreading education, guiding etiquette and changing habits in overseas countries". He led the fleet to "travel around the Nanyang Islands, preaching Daming's good governance and comforting scholars wherever he went". 1 1 Continue to spread China's Enlightenment to Southeast Asian countries, improve their cultural level and change their backward development. 12 local people are also very happy that China people will move to their places and develop production in the same place, and overseas Chinese are increasingly becoming an important force in the economic construction of various countries. 13 Chinese married local women and began to form a process of friendly coexistence and integration with local people. Therefore, in areas where overseas Chinese are concentrated, Chinese immigrants not only form a "Chinatown" in the commercial sense, but also build ancestral halls and temples, set up various clan associations, and set up private schools to learn Chinese, making it an important carrier for inheriting Chinese culture. For example, the couplet hanging in "Chinatown", "Drink all the ends of the earth and think of the source, do as the Romans do", expresses the development concept that overseas Chinese are proud of China and do as the Romans do; "Chinatown" is the product of China people doing business in good faith and inheriting Chinese culture. It has become an important base for China immigrants' overseas activities and played a positive role in strengthening the centripetal force of China people.

Fifthly, Zheng He adopted a dual policy of shock and appeasement in his voyage to the West, which safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of China immigrants. In the early Ming dynasty, the damage caused by pirates was quite serious, especially in the throat area where some envoys and business travelers had to pass, which was occupied by pirates. "Whoever passes by a passenger ship will rob property", which makes envoys and business travelers "come and go", which is particularly harmful. 14 During Zheng He's voyage to the West, * * * had to fight three times. Zheng He's first voyage to the West. When he led his fleet back to the old port, he was attacked by a pirate group headed by China leader Chen Zuyi. This pirate group used to rob merchants and envoys for a living, trying to "cheat and rob" and rob the treasures carried by Zheng He's fleet. After Zheng He's fleet defeated the poachers, they captured the pirate leader Chen Zuyi alive and brought him back to Beijing to be executed on the spot. At that time, although only a few people engaged in illegal activities, it has damaged the image of Chinese and implicated many innocent people. After Chen Zuyi was arrested and brought to justice, it caused a shock in overseas and local Chinese communities. This "town stop" action eliminated the influence of pirate groups to a certain extent and safeguarded the interests of overseas Chinese. When Zheng He went to the Western Ocean for the second time and passed through Sri Lanka, the prince of that country tricked Zheng He into the capital, forcibly extorted property, and secretly sent troops to rob him in an attempt to capture Zheng He's fleet together. As a result, the plot failed and was captured, so Zheng He took them back to Beijing to be dedicated to Ming Chengzu. However, Ming Chengzu's lenient policy of sending all the Sri Lankan kings and others back to China not only had a double effect of shocking and appeasing overseas countries, but also safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese and played an important role in their survival and development.

Third, the reference significance of Zheng He's voyage to the West.

The tribute trade of Zheng He's voyages to the West and its promotion to non-governmental trade brought huge wealth effect, stimulated people's desire to pursue wealth overseas in China coastal areas, directly raised people's expectation of immigrant income, contributed to the development of China immigrants and overseas Chinese society, and provided a strong spiritual impetus for China to go abroad and develop itself. Today, Zheng He's voyages to the West still have a strong reference significance.

First of all, vigorously carry forward the spirit of Zheng He and "go out" to develop yourself. The wealth appreciation effect brought by Zheng He's voyage to the West aroused people's desire to "go out" for development. China is a populous country with a population of over 654.38+03 billion, of which 740 million are laborers, 365.438+million more than 430 million in developed countries in Europe and America. According to relevant data reports, "China's new labor force100000 people every year; The number of laid-off and unemployed people in China is about140,000, and the overall number of migrant workers in cities remains at120,000. " 15 In the future, with the adjustment of economic structure, the acceleration of urbanization and the development of the western region, the connection between China and the world economy will continue to deepen, and a large number of surplus labor will be released and derived in the next few years, thus forming a huge "thrust" for population migration. In fact, the flow of talents is always accompanied by the flow of labor and capital. With the development of economic globalization, new immigrants will surely become an important force in world economic development. Statistically, the number of immigrants in China is still relatively small, and the population flow is still within the normal range. We should vigorously carry forward the "Zheng He Spirit", emancipate our minds, change our concepts, and continue to relax the channels for going abroad, so that more China people can go abroad through legal channels, actively participate in international competition, and share the fruits of China's reform and opening up, China's accession to the WTO and the globalization of the world economy. Overseas Chinese and foreign-related departments should also seize the opportunity of "going abroad", strengthen ties with overseas Chinese, make old friends, make new friends, and never forget good friends, so that overseas Chinese can truly serve China's reform, opening up, modernization and the great cause of the reunification of the motherland.

Secondly, overseas Chinese are encouraged to voluntarily integrate into the local society and actively participate in the discussion of state affairs. The immigration problem is very complicated, in which the country of residence plays a decisive role. Strengthening the effective integration of overseas Chinese's scientific and technological strength, economic strength and human resources is of far-reaching strategic significance for speeding up China's modernization process and realizing the re-emergence of the Chinese nation, and it is also a basic work for us to strive for the "overseas Chinese heart". With the aging of the population and the arrival of the era of knowledge economy, developed countries will increase their efforts to introduce immigrants and avoid the impact of immigrants on the social system by constantly adjusting their immigration policies. According to relevant data, in the next two or three decades, if the number of new immigrants since the reform and opening up is added, the number of new immigrants from Chinese mainland, Hongkong and Taiwan Province Province to developed countries may reach 20-30 million, almost equal to the existing overseas Chinese. If re-immigration and the possible immigration impact caused by cross-strait relations are taken into account, it is estimated that the scale of overseas Chinese in developed countries will be even larger. Therefore, we should pay close attention to the changes in the situation in the host country, strengthen communication and friendly relations with the host government, earnestly draw lessons from experience, encourage overseas Chinese to abandon their self-isolation mentality, actively integrate into the mainstream society, participate in the discussion of state affairs, and strive to defend their legitimate rights and interests in the process of localization. In the inheritance and development of the Chinese community, we should try our best to reduce the running-in period, learn from each other's strengths and help each other in the same boat, and play an irreplaceable role as a bridge between the country of residence and the country of origin, which will truly become a valuable asset for the economic and social development of all countries.

Third, implement a good-neighborly and friendly policy to serve the survival and development of overseas Chinese. After Zheng He's voyage to the West, he always adhered to the policy of good neighborliness and friendship, helped China people to know and understand Southeast Asian countries, promoted the economic and trade relations between China and neighboring countries, brought advanced architectural culture, ceramic culture and silk culture to China, promoted the exchange of institutional culture and spiritual culture, and promoted the development of overseas Chinese immigrants in Southeast Asia through commerce and religion. Up to now, Southeast Asian countries still leave many deeds of Zheng He, many touching legends (boundless magic, everything is obedient), and often hold various grand commemorative activities, which show that Zheng He is not only a "China" but also a "world" great man admired by * *. People in Southeast Asia regard Zheng He as a deity and worship the "Three Treasures Temple", "Three Treasures Wharf", "Three Treasures Cave" and "Li Hang Pojing" left over from history, which fully shows that the "Zheng He Spirit" has been deeply rooted in people's hearts. Since the reform and opening up, with the rapid increase of commodity exchange and foreign exchanges, China citizens have enjoyed the legitimate rights and interests of freely moving to other countries for development, the number of overseas immigrants in China has greatly increased, and the immigration structure has also undergone profound changes. At present, new immigrants from developed countries have accounted for more than half of the total number of overseas Chinese, and some countries even exceed 80%. If there are no major changes in the immigration policies of developed countries, it is predicted that the number of new immigrants will account for more than 70% of the total number of overseas Chinese in developed countries in the next 10 year. New immigrants are a continuation of overseas Chinese. Their development and expansion will fundamentally change the status of overseas Chinese and contribute to the security, prosperity and development of China. Therefore, it is of great significance for us to continue to implement the foreign friendly policy of good-neighborliness, security and prosperity, promote the peaceful rise of China and actively improve the living and development environment of China immigrants, so as to strengthen the follow-up strength of overseas Chinese, further give play to their advantages and better push China to the world.

Fourth, give play to the role of overseas associations and vigorously promote the excellent Chinese culture. China culture has a long history, deep roots and strong adhesion and penetration. It is a "bridge" and an important link between overseas immigrants and their home countries. In recent years, the number of people studying in developed countries from mainland China, Taiwan Province Province and Hongkong has exceeded100000 or 200000. If skilled immigrants are added, there are hundreds of thousands of international students, skilled immigrants and their families entering developed countries from China every year, which has become one of the most important sources of immigrants in developed countries. New immigrants, especially those who study well, are politically sensitive, sociable and have strong social activities, and their strength and performance are gradually recognized by the local Chinese community and mainstream society. Overseas Chinese associations are an important link to unite overseas villagers, unite patriotic forces and connect the motherland and hometown. Over the past year, with the continuous development of their career, many overseas Chinese began to care about, join or even form local Chinese organizations, and a number of well-known and influential community leaders emerged. In the new historical period, overseas Chinese affairs will face more new situations and new problems, which need to be studied in depth. We should encourage new immigrants to actively participate in various Chinese associations organized by the older generation, actively integrate into the local Chinese community, find and cultivate representative Chinese "newcomers" from them, consciously support and guide them, absorb them into various organizations in China, provide them with a stage to participate in and discuss state affairs, train them to become a new generation of Chinese community leaders, strive to inherit and carry forward Chinese excellent culture, and effectively guide the United and orderly development of Chinese communities.