“The voyages of Zheng He were the most important reason for China’s increased overseas trade.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the voyages of Zheng He were the most important reason for China’s increased overseas trade. Candidates may refer to how Zheng led seven naval expeditions throughout South-East Asia, India, Arabia and even reaching the coast of Africa. Zheng was a Muslim convert and this helped him to establish good relations with Muslim trading communities. Candidates may challenge the statement by arguing that for the most part Zheng was not discovering new trade routes and, in fact, his fleets would use well mapped routes that had been used since the Han Dynasty. Also, much of the crew on these ships were military personnel, which candidates may argue suggests these expeditions were more about political control than trade. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement.