The State Council, China's cabinet, has set July 11 as Maritime
Day beginning this year, said Minister of Communications Zhang
Chunxian on Tuesday.
It marks the 600th anniversary of the ocean voyages of Zheng He,
the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) navigator, who, according to
researchers, led Chinese fleets on seven ocean voyages as far as
America 600 years ago.
Zhang said the day would enhance the Chinese people's awareness
of the importance of navigation and the sea, and promote its
development as well as that of maritime business.
He added that the move honors China's commitment to the
International Maritime Organization, of which it is a member.
Xu Zuyuan, vice minister of communications, said the day would
be a national celebration that would need the participation of all
citizens.
The theme of this year's Maritime Day will be "Love the
motherland, be good friends with neighboring countries and navigate
scientifically."
China now has 210,000 ships of more than 86 million dead weight
tons, ranking fourth in the world. Some 90 percent of China's
foreign trade is done by its ocean-going fleets.
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(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2005)