BRI brings fresh wind to Jiangsu's sails

Maritime legacy continues to extend to distant shores

At Zheng He Park in Taicang, a county-level city in Jiangsu province, a replica of famed Chinese navigator and explorer Zheng He's large ship is anchored near the shore of a lake.

Setting sail from Taicang, Zheng had led a fleet of ships on seven voyages during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The voyages took the fleet to destinations in Southeast Asia and South Asia, and as far away as Africa, and the mariners visited more than 30 countries and regions.

Zheng's voyages propelled the ancient maritime Silk Road forward. The fleet brought to its destinations Chinese silk, porcelain and tea, and it shared knowledge of farming, textile production and fishing techniques with local people, forging friendly relations wherever it went.

In return, Zheng's fleet brought back treasures such as jewels, spices, medicinal herbs and exotic animals.

Supachai Wuthichuwong, an editor at Thailand's Manager Media Group, noted that "Zheng He's fleet visited Thailand, where temples now commemorate his journeys, fostering a deep connection between China and Thailand".

On Oct 27, as part of the 2023 Hi Jiangsu Media Trip, the Thai editor and other journalists visited the Zheng He Memorial Hall in Taicang, delving into the city's cultural traits of peace, cooperation and openness.

The media trip, co-organized by the Information Office and Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu's provincial government and China Daily, brought together journalists from countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and Vietnam, all of which are involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The journalists visited the cities of Nanjing, Yangzhou, Lianyungang and Taicang from Oct 22 to 28 to learn about Jiangsu's deep integration into the development of the BRI over the past decade.

Pham Thu Thuy, editor of Voice of Vietnam, the Vietnamese national radio station, participated in the event, acknowledging China's historical commitment to enhancing economic and cultural exchanges with the world — a commitment that continues to this day.