加赠郑和以"外交家"的桂冠

自190 4年梁启超发表《祖国大航海家郑和传》以来,史学界根据新发现的遗迹及史料,翔实证明和评价郑和为中国明代大航海家是中肯的,毫无异议的。但是在郑和下西洋的目的这一命题的学术争鸣中,却众说纷纭,有踪迹建文说、宣扬国威说、耀兵异域说、贸采琛异说、经营国际贸易说、朝贡贸易说等等,莫衷一是。笔者以为郑和七下西洋的使命,其目的是贯彻执行明成祖对外开放、和平友好、共享太平之福的外交政策,其次为航海贸易。据此笔者在文中缕述三条论据,以及郑和七下西洋的全部外交活动予以阐明。郑和七下西洋2 8年的历程,是以航海为载体,从事频繁的外交活动,架设起中国连接亚非各国的友谊桥梁,这在中国乃至世界航海史和外交史上,留下了璀璨夺目的一页,功不可没。因此笔者提出:对郑和历史地位和作用的评价,应在大航海家的桂冠之上,加赠明代杰出外交家的桂冠。

Additionally Present a Laurel "Diplomat" to Zheng He

Since the biography of the great navigator Zheng He was published by Liang Qi-chao in 1904,it has been proved and assessed that Zheng He as a great navigator in Ming Dynasty is no doubt and apropos according to new discovery,historical remains and materials made by historians.But there are various statements among academic contend of the topic about the purpose of Zheng He to the west.These statements include that he traced Emperor Jian Wen,publicized might of a nation,showed military power to external regions,engaged in foreign trade,paid tribute of trade to an imperial court and so on. In author's opinion,the main mission of Zheng He to the west seven times was to carry out Ming Emperor Cheng Zu's diplomatic policies,i.e.to open the country for external world,to enjoy peaceful coexistence and good fortune of peace with all countries.The navigation trade was put on the secondary place.There are three arguments to state the seven diplomatic activities of Zheng He to the west.During the period of 28 years of Zheng He to the west,he frequently engaged in the diplomatic activities through his sailing and built a friendship bridge between China and Asia-African countries.He made a glorious page not only in Chinese navigation history but also in the world navigation and diplomatic history.So,when appraising Zheng He's position in history and his action as a great navigator,the laurel of an outstanding diplomat should be additionally presented to Zheng He.