郑和:传播东方文明的远航使者--纪念郑和下西洋600周年

至15世纪,世界东、西方两大文明不约而同都表出现了对大洋彼岸的极大兴趣,进行了艰苦卓绝的远洋探险航行。这两方面的航海探索,表现出了不同的运势、不同的结果。西方哥伦布横渡大西洋,交通大开,全球比邻,从此欧洲打破了中世纪孤立发展的黑暗时代,极大地促进了世界文明的进程。然而东方郑和远航后,明、清政府实行"海禁"闭关自守的政策,中国由强盛转向衰落,国家运势由兴盛转向衰败。东、西方国力此消彼长,中国从此比西方贫穷落后,终至形成国力的巨大反差。今天,我们在纪念郑和下西洋600周年的时候,正好是处在运势循环转变的关键时段。从郑和下西洋的历史经验中,使我们认识到中国在历史上曾经有过辉煌的海上航行业绩,为世界航海史写下了极其辉煌的一页。所以,开拓海洋文化是中国历史上和当今中国和平崛起、走向强盛不可缺少的支撑。

#In Commemoration of the 600th Anniversary of Zheng He's Voyages to the Western Seas

In the 15th century, both the West and the East showed much interest in the other side of the Ocean and carried out arduous oceanic exploration, but had different results. Columbus' crossing the Atlantic helped the global communication and ended the Dark Middle Ages and quickened the process of civilization. After Zheng He's voyages to the Western seas, the Ming and Qing governments carried out a closed-door policy which resulted in the decline of China. This commemoration of Zheng He's voyages to the Western Seas is held at a transitional period. Zheng He's achievements and lessons should be of great significance to our future development.