Exploring the Descendants of Zheng He: A Hidden Identity for 50 Years, Preserving the Zheng Family Tradition Across

Zheng He (郑和), the legendary Chinese explorer and diplomat, is well-known for his voyages to the Western world during the Ming Dynasty. His legacy has transcended time, with descendants who have kept his lineage and traditions alive through the ages. One such descendant, Zheng Enliang (郑恩良), a 73-year-old man, has recently shared his remarkable story after keeping his family’s identity hidden for over 50 years. This article delves into the life of Zheng Enliang, who, despite being a direct descendant of Zheng He, only learned of his famous ancestry much later in life.

A Hidden Legacy: Zheng Enliang’s Discovery of His Ancestry

The Early Years: Unaware of His Ancestry

Born in the early 1940s, Zheng Enliang was raised in Kunyang Town (昆阳镇), Jinning County (晋宁县), the hometown of Zheng He. The Zheng family was well-known in the region, with a long and prestigious history. However, Zheng Enliang was not aware of his connection to Zheng He until much later. As a young child, he only knew of Zheng He from his history textbooks, which portrayed him as a great figure who had traveled far and wide. However, like many children at the time, he never made the connection that Zheng He was part of his own family tree.

The Revelation: Family History Unveiled

In the early 1940s, when Zheng Enliang was around 11 years old, an elderly member of his family told him that they were descendants of Zheng He. At the time, he had no clear understanding of the significance of this revelation. It wasn’t until later that Zheng Enliang’s grandfather, Zheng Tian Cai (郑天才), who had moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand to manage the family business, clarified the family’s ancestral lineage. Zheng Tian Cai revealed that he was the 16th-generation descendant of Zheng He.

This new identity brought confusion for Zheng Enliang, especially because of the negative connotations surrounding Zheng He’s status as a eunuch. In that era, the term “eunuch” was often associated with shame, and Zheng Enliang felt hesitant to acknowledge his famous ancestor publicly.

Political Sensitivities and the Need for Secrecy

Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, there were significant political sensitivities surrounding overseas relations, especially with family members residing in Thailand. This led Zheng Enliang to conceal his connection to Zheng He for many years. When he entered the workforce, he even changed his name to Ma Guangbi (马光璧), adopting Zheng He’s original family name, “Ma”.

The Official Recognition: Embracing His Heritage

A Turning Point: Public Acknowledgment in 1995

It wasn’t until 1995, when Zheng He’s 16th-generation descendant Zheng Qin Ying (郑琴英), residing in Thailand, came to Yunnan to trace their roots, that Zheng Enliang publicly embraced his identity as a descendant of Zheng He. Zheng Qin Ying’s visit to Yunnan to reunite with distant relatives marked a pivotal moment in Zheng Enliang’s life, leading him to reveal his hidden lineage for the first time. As he recalls, “I have kept this identity hidden for 50 years.”

The Zheng Family Branches: Yunnan, Nanjing, and Thailand

The Zheng family descendants are primarily divided into two main branches: one based in Yunnan (云南) and the other in Nanjing (南京). The Thailand branch, which was established by Zheng He’s 16th-generation descendant Zheng Chonglin (郑崇林), is considered an offshoot of the Yunnan branch. Zheng Chonglin moved from Yuxi (玉溪) in Yunnan to Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he established a thriving business and became a key figure in the local community. Zheng Chonglin’s family grew to include over 30 descendants, with Zheng Qin Ying and her twin sister Zheng Mei Ying (郑梅英) being part of this Thai branch.

A Family Legacy of Tradition

Despite being separated by geographical distances, the various branches of the Zheng He family have remained closely connected, particularly those based in Yunnan. Zheng Enliang and other Zheng descendants continue to preserve the family’s traditions, with deep respect for their famous ancestor. The story of Zheng He’s descendants is one of resilience, perseverance, and the lasting impact of a legacy that continues to inspire people across generations and countries.

The Continuing Connection: Preserving the Zheng Family Tradition

The Zheng family has maintained a strong sense of unity and heritage. Zheng Enliang, in his later years, has come to embrace his identity fully and is dedicated to passing down the family history to the next generations. As a custodian of the Zheng family’s traditions, Zheng Enliang has played an integral role in maintaining the connection to Zheng He’s heritage. Through reunions and cultural activities, the Zheng family continues to honor the great explorer's legacy while preserving their own unique family customs and values.

The Zheng Family Legacy

Zheng Wei (郑伟), who works for the Jiangsu Provincial Political Consultative Conference, recently welcomed a new addition to his family. He proudly shares, “This child is the 21st-generation descendant of Zheng He (郑和).” For generations, the descendants of Zheng He have known their esteemed lineage, which has been passed down through the ages.

The Naming Tradition: A System Passed Down Through Generations

Zheng Wei explains the tradition followed by the descendants of Zheng He. “The naming convention is: ‘Dasha (大尚) preserves loyalty and filial piety, accumulating good deeds for the generations, and ensuring the prosperity and longevity of the family,’” Zheng Wei says. “This system was established by our ancestors.”

In this system, each generation is given a specific character to be included in their name. For example, the "Liu" (流) generation, the 18th generation descendants of Zheng He, includes people like Zheng Liubao (郑流宝), Zheng Wei’s grandfather. The “Zi” (自) generation, from which Zheng Wei comes, has more than 100 descendants in Nanjing (南京), including his father Zheng Zijing (郑自敬) and his uncle Zheng Zihai (郑自海). Due to the social context during the Cultural Revolution, some descendants, like Zheng Wei, were not able to strictly follow this naming system.

The History of Zheng He’s Hometown

For generations, the Zheng family has known that they are descendants of Zheng He, and this knowledge has been passed down through the family. Zheng Wei’s grandfather recalled hearing from older relatives that their ancestors originally lived on Ma Fu Street (马府街) in Nanjing, where Zheng He’s residence was located.

Ma Fu (马府) was the residence of Zheng He in Nanjing during the Ming Dynasty (明朝). The street where the residence was located is now known as Ma Fu Street (马府街), named after Ma Fu, which was once a vast estate. The area stretched from Changbai Street (长白街) in the east to Baixia Road (白下路) in the south, and from Taiping South Road (太平南路) to Taiping Alley (太平巷) in the north. Before the Taiping Rebellion (太平天国), the estate had more than 70 rooms, including a kitchen, stable, warehouse, and even a garden, which today is known as Zheng He Park (南京郑和公园).

The Family's Relocation and Annual Memorial

From the Ming Dynasty to the mid-Qing Dynasty (清朝), Zheng He’s descendants continued to live on Ma Fu Street. Over time, the family grew, and space became more limited. During the Qianlong Era (乾隆年间), one branch of the family moved out of Ma Fu Street to settle in Suzhou (苏州). Other branches followed suit, although most descendants still lived in the Ma Fu Street area.

Every year, in the spring, Zheng Wei and his family travel to Niushou Mountain (牛首山) to pay respects at Zheng He’s tomb. On the day of the memorial, they prepare offerings and take a carriage south from Ma Fu Street along Zhonghua Road (中华路) to leave the city, passing Shizigang (石子岗) to reach Zheng He’s tomb in Guli Township, Jiangning (江宁谷里乡). The ceremony is solemn, and an elderly Akhon (阿訇) is invited to read prayers. After the ceremony, the family visits the nearby Zheng Family Village (郑家村), talks to the villagers, and thanks them for their care of the ancestral tomb.

The Zheng He Tomb: A Subject of Debate

Regarding the exact location of Zheng He’s tomb and how many such tombs exist, scholars have debated the issue, with various evidence supporting different theories. Zheng Wei mentions, “The tomb we visit is the one built in 1985 in the Islamic style on Niushou Mountain (牛首山) in Nanjing (南京),” which is currently recognized as Zheng He’s resting place.

In recent years, the Zheng He Memorial Ceremony has been held on July 11th in Nanjing (南京), with some descendants also participating in the event.

Preserving the Zheng Family Tradition

The descendants of Zheng He (郑和), whether from Nanjing (南京) or Yunnan (云南), have consistently upheld the Muslim traditions passed down through the generations.

Upholding Muslim Traditions Across Generations

Zheng Wei (郑伟) shares, "Both my father and mother are of the Hui (回族) ethnicity, so naturally, my ethnic identity in official documents is Hui." He goes on to explain that after some of the Zheng He descendants intermarried with the Han (汉) ethnic group, their children usually chose the Hui ethnicity, though a few opted for the Han ethnicity when registering their household records.

Even today, the Zheng He family in Yunnan continues to follow Muslim customs. Zheng Enliang (郑恩良), a descendant from the Yunnan branch, says that their family has always practiced Islam. He notes that they follow the traditional Muslim customs, such as refraining from eating pork, observing Muslim funeral rites, and celebrating Eid al-Fitr (开斋节) every year.

Zheng Enliang previously worked in the United Front Work Department (统一战线工作部) of the Jinning County (晋宁县) Communist Party, where he dealt with ethnic and religious affairs. His work was closely tied to his Hui heritage and religious beliefs.

The Different Naming Conventions of the Two Branches

Zheng Wei and Zheng Enliang explain the different naming conventions between the Nanjing and Yunnan branches. This difference stems from variations in the family records passed down through the two regions.

The Nanjing Zheng He Family Genealogy was originally titled "Genealogy of the Xianyang Family" (咸阳世家宗谱), which is linked to Zheng He’s ancestor, Sai Dian Chi (赛典赤), who was a prominent figure in the Yuan Dynasty (元朝). Sai Dian Chi, a Hui (回回) Muslim, was appointed as the Governor of Yunnan (云南省平章政事) during the Yuan Dynasty, where he contributed to local agricultural and educational development. After his death, the people of Yunnan honored him by erecting a memorial, and he was posthumously titled Prince of Xianyang (咸阳王).

Zheng He, a descendant of Sai Dian Chi, was originally named Ma Sanbao (马三宝). Captured during the Ming Dynasty’s (明朝) military campaign in Yunnan, he later became a trusted ally of Prince Yan Zhu Di (燕王朱棣), who would later become Emperor Yongle (永乐帝). After serving under Emperor Yongle, Zheng He was granted the surname Zheng (郑) in honor of his ancestors. The Nanjing Zheng He Family Genealogy retained the name Genealogy of the Xianyang Family, in tribute to his royal ancestor.

The Lost Genealogies of Zheng He

In Nanjing, four copies of the Zheng He Family Genealogy were initially preserved. One was taken by the Beijing Ethnic Cultural Palace (北京民族文化宫) in the late 1950s when they collected materials about Zheng He, without leaving a receipt or recording the name of the descendant who provided it. Another was lost during the Second Sino-Japanese War (抗日战争), a third was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution (文革), and the fourth remains a single wooden cover plate from the original genealogy, making the Nanjing family genealogies very difficult to preserve.

Since the 1980s, Zheng He’s descendants have been searching for these lost genealogies. After years of effort, they managed to find a copy of the "Preface to the Zheng Family Genealogy" (《郑氏家谱首序》) at the Beijing Ethnic Cultural Palace. This preface, which contains over a thousand words, reveals major historical events about Zheng He’s lineage, such as the return of Sai Dian Chi to Song Dynasty (宋朝) China in the Third Year of Emperor Shenzong’s Reign (宋神宗熙宁三年), the reasons Zheng He was granted the surname Zheng, and his burial in Niushou Mountain (牛首山).

A Legacy to Pass On

Zheng Wei emphasizes, “I want to tell my descendants about the brilliant achievements and seafaring stories of our ancestors, as well as the history of our family. The spirit of Zheng He’s voyages is a precious spiritual legacy passed down by our forebears.” This legacy is a cornerstone of the Zheng He family’s rich heritage, which continues to be passed down to future generations.

Commemorating Zheng He as a Political Landmark

Beyond Historical Commemoration: The Spirit of Zheng He

The commemoration of Zheng He's (郑和) spirit has transcended history itself, becoming a symbol of China's global presence.

Menzies, a British historian, has made quite an impact with his claim that Zheng He may have been the first person to discover America, a theory that stirred waves in the Chinese academic community.

On May 26th, in Nanjing (南京), Menzies revealed that his book, 1421: The Year China Discovered the World, would be adapted into a film, with plans to have Zhang Yimou (张艺谋) direct.

Menzies' New Work on Zheng He

In an exclusive interview with Oriental Outlook Weekly (瞭望东方周刊), Menzies also hinted at a new book on Zheng He. According to him, the 600th anniversary of Zheng He's voyages should be celebrated, especially because China's position on the global stage had been overshadowed for far too long.

He posed a thought-provoking question: "For over 500 years, China remained dormant. From 2200 BCE to 1431 CE, China explored the world for 3,600 years. Will China lead humanity into space in the next 3,600 years?"

Menzies goes on to say that in 1425, Zheng He's fleet reached the Netherlands, leaving behind a legacy that included movable printing technology and the camera obscura, which revolutionized European painting by enabling artists to learn the technique of perspective.

Global Recognition of Zheng He

Just like many in China, Menzies has been part of the celebrations marking the 600th anniversary of Zheng He's voyages. His theories and bold statements about Zheng He's maritime expeditions continue to capture the attention of the media in China.

This is not a phenomenon unique to China. Some Southeast Asian and South Asian countries also celebrate Zheng He's legacy. Zheng He is not only part of China's history but also belongs to the world.

Early Commemoration of Zheng He

The idea of commemorating Zheng He's voyages began as early as 1998, with official decisions on the matter being made during a meeting of the Central Secretariat (中央书记处) in 2001. According to Shi Ping (时平), academic advisor at the Zheng He 600th Anniversary Commemoration Committee (郑和下西洋六百周年纪念活动领导小组筹备办公室) and Director of the Maritime Culture Research Institute at Shanghai Maritime University (上海海事大学), the commemoration of Zheng He was initially not an academic endeavor but rather a political one.

The Evolution of Zheng He's Memorial

Historically, Zheng He was not highly regarded. In fact, the Ming Dynasty's History of Zheng He (明史《郑和传》) contains only a brief 700 words about him, as there was a prevalent prejudice against eunuchs. Furthermore, China's isolationist policies, such as the Maritime Ban (海禁), led to the neglect of Zheng He's legacy.

The memorial of Zheng He in modern times has shifted focus from historical scholarship to political considerations, with clear ideological intentions tied to the era in which these commemorations occurred.

Liang Qichao's Contribution to Zheng He’s Memorial

A century ago, Liang Qichao (梁启超), a prominent Chinese scholar and reformer, wrote the article "Zheng He: The Great Navigator of China" (祖国大航海家郑和传) in New People's Miscellany (新民丛报), which marked the first major attempt in modern China to promote Zheng He as a national hero. Shi Ping analyzed Liang Qichao's motivations, suggesting that the commemoration of Zheng He was part of an effort to revive national pride during a time of China's decline.

Following the First Sino-Japanese War (甲午战争) and the Boxer Protocol (辛丑条约), China was in a period of weakness, becoming a target for foreign powers. Liang Qichao used Zheng He's extraordinary maritime achievements to inspire the Chinese people, urging them to revive the nation's glory.

Thus, Shi Ping believes that the commemoration of Zheng He during that time was primarily driven by patriotism.

Sun Yat-sen's Tribute to Zheng He

Like Liang Qichao, Sun Yat-sen (孙中山) praised Zheng He's voyages in his book The National Reconstruction Plan (建国方略). Sun Yat-sen emphasized Zheng He's incredible achievement:

"Zheng He managed to build 64 large ships in 14 months, carrying 28,000 men to tour Southeast Asia, demonstrating Chinese power abroad. Even today, the native people of Southeast Asia still recall the grandeur of Zheng He's fleet. But today, we, the Chinese, find it difficult to build a 3,000-ton ship with foreign machines and scientific knowledge. How do we compare Zheng He's achievements?"

In this statement, Sun Yat-sen was focusing on building national pride and confidence among the Chinese people, emphasizing the greatness of their past and encouraging them to regain their sense of self-worth.

Commemorating Zheng He and the Opening-up Reform

The Beginning of Zheng He’s Commemoration

"The early commemoration of Zheng He (郑和) was very well done because it instilled national spirit. During transitional periods and critical historical turning points, commemorating Zheng He takes on different meanings," said Shi Ping (时平).

In 1985, a grand commemoration was held to mark the 580th anniversary of Zheng He's voyages, led by the Ministry of Transport (交通部). However, it was not until a year earlier, in 1984, that the official decision to hold the commemoration was made. At the Third Plenary Session of the Central Advisory Committee (中央顾问委员会第三次全体会议), Deng Xiaoping (邓小平) specifically mentioned Zheng He's voyages.

Deng Xiaoping and the Importance of Openness

Deng Xiaoping remarked, "No country can become prosperous by closing itself off. We have suffered from this before, and so did our ancestors. Perhaps during the reign of the Ming Dynasty (明朝) and under Emperor Yongle (明成祖), Zheng He's voyages could be considered an example of openness. After Emperor Yongle's death, however, the Ming Dynasty began to decline, and China was invaded. If we count from the middle of the Ming Dynasty to the Opium War (鸦片战争), for over 300 years, China’s closed-door policy left the country poor, backward, and ignorant. Openness is the only way forward."

This speech was intended to break the ideological rigidity at the beginning of China’s opening-up era. The commemorations of Zheng He during this time emphasized the importance of "openness."

Zheng He as a Symbol of China’s Open Policy

As the leader of China’s Reform and Opening-up policy, Deng Xiaoping aimed to use Zheng He’s story to convey to his colleagues that China had no choice but to open up. By turning to historical symbols like Zheng He, Deng Xiaoping stressed that openness was not just a choice but a necessity.

As the successor of Deng Xiaoping’s policies, the third-generation leadership collective of China brought up the significance of Zheng He's voyages five times in the 1990s. During this period, China was undergoing significant reforms, with a focus on expanding its openness, joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), and integrating with the global economy.

Zheng He as a Political Symbol

Zheng He’s commemoration once again became a political marker, but this time, the focus shifted from openness to China’s integration into the international community. The commemoration of Zheng He once again became a symbolic event of China’s political development, and Zheng He had by now become an icon of China’s openness.

After the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (中共十六大), China entered a new governance era under Hu Jintao (胡锦涛) as the General Secretary. The question of whether China would continue its open-door policies and deepen its integration with the international community became a key issue, drawing both domestic and international attention. The grand-scale, high-profile commemoration of Zheng He at this time was a clear indication of China’s future policy direction.

The New Era of Peace and Cooperation

The new leadership repeatedly emphasized China's peaceful, cooperative, and mutually beneficial relationships with other countries. This was the defining feature of the commemoration of Zheng He's voyages in the contemporary context.

As Shi Ping summarized, "As an important historical event, the commemoration of Zheng He's spirit has already transcended the history itself."

“Confident in Restoring Our Former Status”

After Zheng He (郑和), China never had another great fleet. The "closed-door" policy rapidly turned China into a maritime weak power, a situation that persisted until 1840, when China was bullied by Western ships. By the 1880s, China began to build a strong navy, but the naval strength was not institutionalized, and the Beiyang Fleet (北洋舰队) was destroyed by Japan in 1894.

It wasn’t until the establishment of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国) that the Chinese Navy (中国海军) was truly formed, and China gained a legitimate voice in maritime affairs.

From Zheng He to Modern China’s Naval Strength

On April 9, 2002, after completing a circumnavigation of the globe in 2 years, 1 month, and 23 days, Weng Yixuan (翁以煊) of the Phoenix (凤凰号) returned to the capital of New Zealand, Wellington (惠灵顿). He was later invited to give a report to the Chinese Navy. It is said that at that time, a naval leader jokingly told Weng Yixuan, "Your small boat managed to sail around the world, so why not our large naval ships?"

On May 15, 2002, at 9:00 AM, the Chinese People's Navy launched the Qingdao (青岛) missile destroyer and the Taicang (太仓) supply ship, embarking on a global voyage that crossed five continents and three oceans. This fulfilled a long-standing dream of the Chinese Navy to circumnavigate the globe.

Growing Confidence in Naval Power

At 69 years old, Feng Lao (冯老), a retired naval officer, is now enjoying a peaceful retirement at the naval veterans' retirement home.

“Our navy is developing rapidly, but compared to countries like the United States (美国), Japan (日本), and even India (印度), we still have a distance to go,” he told reporters. “But we are confident that we will return to the status we held during Zheng He’s era.”

The Humble Beginnings of the Chinese Navy

Looking at the entire history of the Chinese Navy, it is clear that its early stages were rather weak. When General Xiao Jinguang (肖劲光) was appointed naval commander in Beijing (北京), he didn’t even have an office or a place to live. He had to stay in a cheap inn or a private home near Qianmen (前门).

In 1950, the naval headquarters held its inaugural meeting in a borrowed hall at Xiehe Hospital (协和医院), with 900 staff members scattered across three different locations in Beijing. As for weaponry, the navy only had ships seized from the Nationalist Army (国民党).

Modernization and Global Influence

Fifty-six years later, the Chinese Navy has developed into a modern military branch with comprehensive naval capabilities. It has made significant achievements in military training, logistics support, and equipment development, and has become more active in foreign exchanges.

"Naval visits began in 1985, and it was Zheng He’s training ship that made the first visits, gifting copies of Zheng He’s nautical charts as souvenirs," said Shi Ping (时平).

By September 2004, the Chinese Navy had sent 20 fleets to visit 25 countries around the world.

The Navy’s Role in National and International Relations

Shi Ping explained that the navy plays a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests and ensuring sea security. Additionally, due to its unique mobility, the navy also serves as an instrument of "naval diplomacy", which is an extension of domestic policy. As the nation’s strength grows and openness increases, foreign policy must be reflected in its naval diplomacy, and the navy serves as an essential tool for international communication and peace promotion.

However, it is important to note that much of China's invasions in modern history came from the sea, with 86 invasions recorded—most of them by naval forces. Historical experience shows that, as a land-and-sea nation, China must adopt both land and sea strategies to avoid serious setbacks.

“China’s strategy for western development is focused on strengthening the land, but there is still not much emphasis on the sea. Recently, some have proposed a Marine Power Strategy (海洋强国战略), but its impact is still limited,” Shi Ping remarked.

Still Not a Maritime Power

According to Lin Zuyi (林祖乙), former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Society of Navigation, China's maritime industry is beginning to show signs of the greatness that Zheng He (郑和) once embodied. In the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the United Nations (联合国), China has become a Category A member, recognized globally as a maritime powerhouse.

Currently, over 94% of China’s foreign trade goods are transported by ships. In 2004, China's port storage capacity reached 4 billion tons, doubling from 2000, while container throughput reached 61.5 million TEUs, a 26.4% increase from 2003. This surge has driven the shipbuilding industry, which has ranked third globally for several years, with a gross tonnage of 8.55 million tons. China's fleet ranks as a medium to high level on the global scale.

However, Lin Zuyi emphasizes, “Although we are a maritime giant, we are not yet a maritime superpower.” He suggests that, in this regard, China still has much to learn from Zheng He.

China's Maritime Strength: Progress and Challenges

While China ranks third in global shipbuilding, the country faces challenges in technology and equipment. Much of its maritime technology still relies on foreign technology. Moreover, despite handling more than $1 trillion worth of goods annually, China's fleet only handles a small portion of the global shipping market, accounting for just a fraction—only about 10%—with most cargo being transported by foreign companies.

“This is not a matter of the quality of Chinese ships, but a market competitiveness and share issue. The West has been engaged in maritime trade since the 17th century, and for centuries they have dominated the international market. It is only after the establishment of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国) and particularly after the Reform and Opening-Up (改革开放) that China has gradually developed maritime transport. Competing with the West is indeed challenging,” says Lin Zuyi.

Weaknesses in Long-Distance Naval Protection

Additionally, China’s ability to protect its long-distance maritime trade routes remains weak, especially regarding the security of key routes such as the Strait of Malacca (马六甲海峡), through which a large number of China's oil tankers pass. This critical maritime chokepoint lies at the crossroads of Indonesia (印度尼西亚), Malaysia (马来西亚), and Singapore (新加坡), an area notorious for piracy and frequent terrorist activities.

“Currently, China’s navy follows a defense-oriented policy, which works for controlling coastal areas, but we are still not capable of securing long-distance operations. As for the Strait of Malacca, a vital shipping route, we can only rely on peaceful diplomatic policies to gain support from surrounding countries to maintain maritime security. The United States (美国) has sufficient military capability to enter this region, but the surrounding countries are very cautious. Therefore, the situation is quite complex,” Lin Zuyi explains.