China Has an Ancient Mariner to Tell You About - Essay Example

There have been attempts to place Zheng He as predicting the emergence of China as a world power in the modern-day. Several efforts by the Communist Party early suggest that it wants “to signal to its own people that it has recaptured past glory while reassuring foreign countries that China can be strong and non-threatening at the same time.” (Kahn) However, the Chinese efforts to present a one-sided interpretation of the explorer cannot be justified in this modern age of improved international cooperation among the world nations.

It would be more advantageous for every nation to provide factual evidence to historical events and China, certainly, needs to present the objective facts in their attempt to make a better image of their fast. Historical facts and figures cannot be misinterpreted by any nation for its vested interest as there is no monopoly for any particular individual or nation over the truths of the past. The present criticisms by several intellectuals of the various parts of the world against the Chinese efforts to present a one-sided interpretation of Zheng He indicate the same.

In conclusion, while China has every right to have a pleasing image about its present and past, this cannot be at the cost of historical facts.