Before Vasco da Gama: How China's Lost Explorer Zheng He Shapes Modern Geopolitics in Africa

The history books often start with Vasco da Gama. But roughly 80 years before the Portuguese explorer reached Africa, a massive Chinese fleet had already anchored off its eastern coast. Commanded by Admiral Zheng He, this was the Ming Dynasty's 'treasure fleet', a forgotten giant of maritime history.

An Armada That Dwarfed Europe's

More than six centuries ago, Zheng He led seven epic maritime expeditions. With a crew of more than 20,000 and hundreds of ships, his fleet traversed the seas to Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and finally the shores of Africa. Despite these achievements, which showcased naval technology and logistical capabilities far superior to contemporary Europe's, Zheng He remains largely absent from Western historical narratives.

Does History Rhyme? A New Silk Road

Today, China is strategically resurrecting Zheng He's legacy. The admiral's voyages are presented as a historical precedent for the modern 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI), which involves massive infrastructure investment across Africa. Beijing emphasizes that Zheng He's missions were for peaceful trade and diplomacy, drawing a sharp contrast with the era of European colonialism that followed. However, critics raise concerns over 'debt-trap diplomacy' and China's growing geopolitical ambitions on the continent.