KARACHI, Aug 28: A seminar was held to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the great Chinese Admiral Zheng He’s voyages of discovery, organized by the Pakistan Institute of Maritime Affairs (PIMA), here on Saturday.

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Chunxiang, who was the chief guest, highlighted the significance of Admiral Zheng He’s voyages.

He also outlined the areas for present and prospective cooperation between China and Pakistan.

Earlier, the ambassador was accorded a warm welcome and applauded for receiving the Hilal-i-Pakistan.

Admiral Zheng He was an explorer, as well as an adventurer with a towering personality and liberal mind that understood ways and means of commerce.

His fleet comprised of 3,500 vessels, including 250 gigantic nine-masted treasure ships with a very large quantity and variety of accessories, including 1,350 patrol ships, 400 larger warships and 400 freighters to carry food supplies and life support necessities for his fleet and complements like horses. It is said that the voyager’s flag ship was more than 400 feet long, making it the largest ship in the world at the time. It was five times the size of Columbus’ ship, the Pinta.

Admiral Zheng He explored the four corners of the Indian Ocean, showing the Chinese flag to countries on its littoral and establishing diplomatic, as well as commercial relations with all of them.

There were several ships in his fleet through which he passed areas which now constitute Pakistan, according to a scholar.

Ibn Batuta has written that he saw several Chinese ships anchored at ports of the subcontinent, the press release added.

Chinese diplomats, members of Pak-China Cultural Associations, senior retired members of the Pakistan’s armed forces, diplomats and a large number of Pakistani and Chinese civilians attended the seminar.—-APP