BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Muslim eunuch Zheng He from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) headed a mammoth fleet to embark on the world's first long-distance seafaring journey on July 11, 1405, 87 years earlier than his foreign explorer peer Columbus's bold attempt to reach for America.

    Exactly 600 years later, Zheng's fellow countrymen staged a grandiose ceremony to commemorate the navigator's heroic mission whose influences can be strongly felt as afar as in Africa even today.

    In order to show respect for the daunting spirit of Zheng He and his sailors, the Chinese government decided to take July 11 as a national Maritime Day starting this year, bringing a climax to the country's comprehensive endeavors to commemorate Zheng He's marine voyages scheduled to run throughout the year.

    Vice Premier Huang Ju praised Zheng's contribution to the world seafaring attempts in a specially organized commemorative congregation here on Monday.

    "Zheng He's voyages greatly facilitated cultural, economic and trade exchanges across the globe, helped establish friendly ties and contributed to the world's navigation cause," said Huang.

    Dubbed by foreign history experts as being "a fleet beyond comparison", Zheng He's team reached 30-strong countries in West Asia and East Africa from 1405 to 1433.

    Monumentalizing Zheng He's influential seafaring missions will help the contemporary Chinese society to carry forward the country's long-standing maritime legacy and exploring spirit, and enhance the togetherness of the entire Chinese nation, said Vice Communications Minister Xu Zuyuan here on Monday.

    Pursuant to a circular issued by the Ministry of Communications earlier this year, all the Chinese civil ships and foreign ones owned or operated by Chinese seafaring enterprises should whistle for 60 seconds at around 9:00 a.m. on July 11 to mark the national Maritime Day while voyaging and berthing on the Chinese waters.

    In addition to endeavors to relive the historical glory of Zheng He's seafaring voyage, Chinese policy-makers and experts clearly related the ancient achievements to the current national efforts to further develop oceanic industry and explore marine resources.

    "A well-developed oceanic economy is of particular strategic importance to China's social and economic development," said Huang.

    China homes to over three million square kms of sea waters and resorts to marine transportation in 90 percent of its foreign trade transactions. However, comprehensive and effective development of the oceanic economy and sea-related industries remained outstanding for a long time.

    Gao Zhiguo, director of the Marine Development Strategy Institute under the State Oceanic Administration, told Xinhua on Monday that countries striding to develop the oceanic industry are usually more prosperous than those not committed to such a cause, basing his conclusion on historical observation.

    China now has over 3,000 ports and owns some 210,000 ships. Being the world's third largest ship-builder, China sells over 70 percent of its annual ship products overseas. Enditem