Taicang honors legacy of Zheng He's legendary voyages

Taicang in Jiangsu province unveiled a series of events on Tuesday to honor the 620th anniversary of Zheng He's legendary voyages to the West and celebrate his enduring spirit.

Zhu Baoxia, deputy publisher of China Daily, Pan Yuan, director of the economic department of China Youth Daily, Zhang Hongjun, executive dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at Nanjing University, Wang Xiangyuan, Party secretary of Taicang and mayor Xu Huadong, among others, participated in the anniversary's launch ceremony.

Chinese navigator and explorer Zheng He (1371-1433) led the world's largest fleet on seven voyages to the West 620 years ago, leaving an indelible mark on the history of human navigation.

Wang emphasized in an address that the events commemorating Zheng He's voyages aim to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise to celebrate his legacy.

According to Wang, Taicang plans to enhance the appeal of Zheng He's culture through collaborations with China Daily, China Youth Daily, Nanjing University and other institutions, producing high-quality film and television works and academic publications that resonate with audiences.

A micro-documentary titled In Search of the Secrets of the Great Voyagespremiered at the event. Co-produced by China Daily and the publicity departments of Suzhou and Taicang, the documentary explores historical echoes along Zheng He's journeys to locations such as Malaysia, Germany and Kenya.

Another highlight was the unveiling of the micro-drama Zheng He's Voyages to the West: The Eighth Voyage. The 10-episode series offers a fresh perspective on Zheng He's maritime history by incorporating contemporary elements from Taicang.

The inauguration of the National Image and Communication Research Base at Nanjing University was also announced during the event. Established through a partnership between Taicang and Nanjing University, the base continues Zheng He's legacy.