'Zheng He was greater than Christopher Columbus'<\/p>\n
Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post\/Semarang<\/p>\n
Why is the 600th anniversary of Admiral Zheng He's 28-year
\nexploration (1405 to 1433) commemorated in a large-scale way in
\nSemarang from August 1 to August 7? Zheng He only spent one month
\nin Simongan, Semarang. He built a mosque which later was turned
\ninto a temple, and left behind a well that is still used.<\/p>\n
The following are excerpts from an interview by The Jakarta
\nPost's stringer in Semarang, Suherdjoko, with the chairman of
\nZheng He's 600th anniversary exploration organizing committee,
\nSindu Dharmali, here on Friday.<\/p>\n
Sindu, a Chinese-Indonesian, who owns a monosodium glutamate
\n(MSG) factory and chairman of the Tay Kak Sie Foundation,
\nanswered elaborately in a mix of Indonesian, Chinese and Javanese
\nlanguages.<\/p>\n
JP: What is the main aim of organizing the anniversary?<\/p>\n
SD: There are two purposes that we wish to realize. First, to
\nencourage tourism in Semarang and Central Java, in general.<\/p>\n
The second purpose is to attract foreign investors here and
\nsurrounding areas.<\/p>\n
I'm sure that by commemorating it in a grand way, many people
\nwill come to Semarang. They can observe and witness the condition
\nand situation here firsthand.<\/p>\n
JP: Is it necessary to attract investors through this
\ncommemoration. Why do you choose the Zheng He figure as the main
\nattraction?<\/p>\n
SD: You're right. But I still regard Zheng He has a strong
\ninfluence to attract tourists, which will later spread to
\ninvestors to establish their businesses here.<\/p>\n
For Asians, including Indonesians, Zheng He is a figure to be
\nproud of. His reputation had been proven much earlier than the
\nEuropeans.<\/p>\n
JP: Can you explain further on the Zheng He's dominance?<\/p>\n
SD: Why not. Zheng He was the great explorer. It is still
\ndebatable, but he is greater than Christopher Columbus. The (feat
\nof the) European was very small compared to Zheng He.<\/p>\n
Just look at Columbus' men, only a few dozen people. Zheng He
\nhad more than 27,000 people, not to mention his fleet of ships.
\nColumbus only had a fleet of three ships, but Zheng He's fleet
\nreached some over 200 ships.<\/p>\n
JP: How do you present Zheng He's greatness, especially to the
\npeople of Semarang, keeping in mind that the history of Zheng He
\nhas never been taught in (government-run) schools?<\/p>\n
SD: Now, that will become a challenge for the organizing
\ncommittee. Apart from the Sam Poo Kong statue and ritual
\nprocession from the Tay Kak Sie temple to Sam Poo Kong temple, I
\nhave requested the committee to hold other special performances.<\/p>\n
I have requested them to make a replica of Zheng He's junk. It
\nis still being built at the Semarang river, opposite the Tay Kak
\nSie temple on Lombok Lane in Semarang's Chinatown area.<\/p>\n
Many foreign journalists have taken photos or recorded it on
\nvideo. Residents of Semarang have flocked to the site to see the
\nconstruction of the Chinese junk every afternoon.<\/p>\n
The programs are divided into five. The first will be mass
\nprayers slated to be attended by monks from various countries,
\nincluding Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and China.<\/p>\n
Second, there will be a seminar on the history of Zheng He's
\nvoyage and Zheng He's role in promoting pluralism back in the
\n15th century.<\/p>\n
Third, there will be performances including Javanese puppetry,
\nChinese acrobatics and a barongsay competition.<\/p>\n
The fourth is the international trade exhibition and the
\ninauguration of newly renovated Sam Poo Kong Temple, which was
\nbelieved to be built by Zheng He in the 15th century.<\/p>\n
The functions will take place in Central Java's Trade and
\nPromotion Center in Marina Beach, Sam Poo Kong Temple and Tay Kak
\nSie Temple.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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