Page 10 - Networks of Exchange 1200-1450

Trade Routes - Indian Ocean

Trade

Admiral Zheng He

● Helped extend the maritime and commercial

influence of China throughout the regions

bordering the Indian Ocean.

● Commanded seven naval expeditions almost a

century before the Portuguese reached India by

sailing around the southern tip of Africa.

● Missions extended China’s political sway over

maritime Asia for half a century.

● Chinese emigration increased

● Resulting in Chinese colonization in Southeast

Asia and the accompanying tributary trade