People's Daily, China's leading newspaper, will carry an editorial on Monday, calling on the Chinese people to carry forward ancient navigator Zheng He's spirit of patriotism in promoting present-day peaceful development.

The editorial said the "peaceful voyage" of Zheng He, as the forefather of world navigation, in the 15th and 16th centuries, will be enshrined in people's minds.

China's commemoration of the hero today is significant because people should carry on his spirit of patriotism to undertake the country's reform and to convey the idea of peaceful development to the world, as well as to establish friendly ties with other countries, the editorial said.

The country thus decided to make July 11 China's "Navigation Day" to mark the historical moment that Zheng He launched his fleet 600 years ago.

Zheng He, the first ethnic Chinese sailor to circumnavigate the globe in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), traveled to West Asia and East Africa from 1405 to 1433.

Pioneering the first express sea-route through the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, Zheng He's voyages were 87 year earlier than the voyage made by Columbus, 92 years earlier than Vasco Da Gama and 114 years earlier than Magellan.

Historical records show that Zheng, commanding a fleet with 28 ships and 27,800 people, did not colonize any newly discovered areas or set up any military fortresses. On the contrary, he provided local inhabitants with silk, chinaware, calendars and agricultural tools, his seven voyages are considered early demonstrations of China's peaceful diplomacy.

Source: Xinhua