Crew members wave goodbye as the sailboat departs from Pingtan for a voyage that revisits the ancient maritime Silk Road, on April 20. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

A fleet set out from Pingtan on the route of the ancient maritime Silk Road on April 20, ptnet.cn reported.

Zhai Mo, a well-known Chinese navigator, and his team will steer four unpowered sailboats to follow the route through Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Seychelles, Egypt, Greece and Malta before reaching their destination in Italy.

Each sailboat is equipped with a captain, four sailors and a volunteer.

The journey will stretch more than 10,000 sea miles and pass through famous waters like the Taiwan Straits, Malacca Strait, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean.

“We decided to sail from Pingtan because it has favorable winds and geographic conditions,” said Zhai.

The voyage will boost cultural, economic, and academic exchanges along the Maritime Silk Road.

A ceremony was held at around 9 am.

Being chosen as the starting point of the high-profile voyage shows the importance of Pingtan on the maritime Silk Road, said Xie Xiutong, an official with the working committee of Pingtan’s administration.