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Zheng He: Symbol of China's 'peaceful rise'


Flashermac

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Prof Geoff Wade, a historian who has translated Ming documents relating to Zheng's voyages, disputes the portrayal of a benign adventurer.

 

He says the historical records show the treasure fleets carried sophisticated weaponry and participated in at least three major military actions; in Java, Sumatra and Sri Lanka.

 

"Because there is virtually no critical analysis of these texts even now - history writing is still in the hands of the state - it's very difficult for Chinese people to conceive of the state as being dangerous, expansionist, or offensive in any way to its neighbours.

 

"Chinese nationalism is fed on ignorance of its past relations. The way Zheng He is being represented is part of this."

 

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The British Empire didn't set out to conquer either, just trade. But if the wogs wouldn't cooperate, one had to take them over for their own good. :beer:

 

Unlike the French, Spanish and Portuguese who made no pretence of having lofty ideals... The US government had some serious soul searching when it came to annexing the Philippine Islands in 1898. Fortunately, in the end greed won out. ;)

 

 

 

 

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Was the Philippine-American war the first 'dirty' war the USA led....was a pretty dirty one IMO

-> should wa say the USA built 'concentration camps'? Sorry my bad, these were internment camps -> probably one of the reasons the number of Filipinos passed from 9 million to maybe 8 million by the end of the war....

 

Anyway the Ming empire was of course a peaceful nation..... :susel:

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