China is preparing for festivities in 2005 to commemorate the 600th anniversary of an ancient mariner whose voyages are considered early demonstrations of China's peaceful diplomacy.

Xu Zuyuan, vice minister of communication, said Wednesday that seminars, expos and TV features will be held to celebrate the seven voyages of Zheng He, a Muslim eunuch in the imperial Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) who traveled to the West Asia and East Africa from AD 1405 to 1433.

Pioneering the first express sea-route through the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, Zheng He's voyages were 87, 92 and 114 years earlier than those of Columbus, Vasco da Gama and Magellan.

"The essence of Zheng's voyages does not lie in how strong the Chinese navy once was, but in that China adhere to peaceful diplomacy when it was a big power," Xu said.

In the early 15th century when the Chinese empire was at its peak, rulers of Ming Dynasty sent envoys, including Zheng, to elsewhere in the world to establish friendly ties.

Historical records show that Zheng, commanding the most powerful ocean-going fleet of the day, did not colonize any newly discovered areas or set up any military fortresses. On the contrary, he sent local inhabitants silk, chinaware, calendars and agricultural tools.

"Zheng He's seven voyages to the West explains why a peaceful emergence is the inevitable outcome of the development of Chinese history," Xu acknowledged, adding that peace-loving is the inherited moral nature of the nation.

Besides demonstrating China's policy of a peaceful rise, Xu also said Zheng reminds Chinese that only an open policy and science can bring power and prosperity.

Zheng's triumph ended shortly after the last voyage and his chart was burnt by the imperial court. Some theories say he was victim of bureaucratic infighting, while others claim the central government deemed his trips too costly for the shrinking income.

After that, the country banned maritime trade and navy for 300 years, which resulted in failed fight-backs against British invasion in the 1840s.

However, despite the ironic sequel, China's maritime pioneer will probably lead a revival 600 years later and serve as a symbol in today's peaceful rise of the nation.