A Diplomatic Milestone in the Age of Exploration

In 1417, while Admiral Zheng He was leading his fifth maritime expedition across the Indian Ocean, another extraordinary event unfolded in Ming China’s diplomatic history: the arrival of the Sultan of Sulu and his royal delegation. This visit marked a significant moment in Sino-Southeast Asian relations, showcasing the Ming Dynasty’s expansive influence and the interconnectedness of 15th-century Asia.

The Sulu Sultanate, located in what is now the southern Philippines, sent a 340-member delegation led by three rulers: Paduka Batara of the eastern kingdom, Maharaja Kolamating of the western kingdom, and the widow of the former chieftain of the Sulu highlands. Bearing gifts of gold-embroidered tribute documents, pearls, gemstones, and tortoiseshell, they sought to strengthen ties with the Ming court. Their visit followed earlier diplomatic missions from Brunei (Borneo) and Malacca, reflecting the growing prestige of Ming China as a regional power.

The Ming Court’s Lavish Reception

Emperor Yongle’s government welcomed the Sulu envoys with unprecedented generosity, granting each ruler a jade-embellished golden belt, 100 taels of gold, 200 taels of silver, fine silks, and ceremonial robes embroidered with dragons and qilins—a privilege typically reserved for China’s closest allies. This reception far exceeded standard tributary protocol, signaling the Ming Dynasty’s respect for Sulu as an equal partner rather than a subordinate state.

Historians speculate that the Sulu delegation’s visit was a reciprocal gesture following Zheng He’s earlier contact with their kingdom. However, no definitive records confirm Zheng’s fleet reaching the Philippines. Intriguingly, recent discoveries in Jolo, Sulu’s historic capital, may shed light on this mystery. A temple dedicated to Zheng’s navigator, Bai Bentou, was found with Chinese inscriptions, alongside a weathered English-language tombstone. These artifacts suggest that part of Zheng’s fleet, separated by storms, may have reached Sulu, where Bai forged ties with local rulers before his death and burial on the islands.

Zheng He’s Sixth Voyage: Commerce and Diplomacy

By 1421, Zheng He embarked on his sixth expedition, now a seasoned 50-year-old admiral. This voyage focused on escorting diplomats from 16 states—including Hormuz, Aden, and Mogadishu—back to their homelands. The fleet’s stop in Aden (modern Yemen) proved particularly fruitful. The sultan encouraged trade, yielding treasures such as two-foot-tall coral trees, rare cat’s eye gemstones, and exotic animals like giraffes (interpreted as “qilins”) and zebras (“striped donkeys”). Notably, these were acquired through market transactions, not tribute, highlighting the Ming’s engagement in equitable trade.

In Dhofar (Oman), Zheng’s fleet catalyzed a bustling international marketplace. Locals traded frankincense, myrrh, and ambergris for Chinese porcelain and silk, reinforcing the Indian Ocean’s commercial networks. This voyage solidified Ming China’s role as a hub of global exchange, documented even in European accounts like Marco Polo’s travels.

The Twilight of the Treasure Voyages

Emperor Yongle’s death in 1424 marked a turning point. His successor, the Hongxi Emperor, halted maritime expeditions amid fiscal austerity. Zheng He was relegated to administrative duties in Nanjing, and the ships rotted in ports. Yet, in 1430, the Xuande Emperor revived the voyages to reinvigorate tribute relations. At age 60, Zheng embarked on his seventh and final expedition.

Before departing, Zheng commissioned a stele at Taicang’s Tianfei Temple, chronicling his past voyages—a poignant act that hinted at his awareness of this era’s end. The fleet revisited key ports like Calicut and Hormuz, but Zheng fell ill and died en route in 1433. Though buried at sea near Kerala, his ceremonial tomb in Nanjing’s Niushou Mountain symbolizes his dual legacy: a global explorer eternally tied to his adopted homeland.

Cultural Legacy and Modern Reflections

Zheng He’s voyages and the Sulu mission exemplify pre-colonial Asia’s sophisticated diplomacy and multicultural exchange. Today, the Sultan of Sulu’s tomb in Dezhou, China, remains a pilgrimage site for Filipino Muslims, while Zheng’s story inspires debates on China’s maritime identity. As modern nations revisit ocean-based diplomacy, these 15th-century encounters remind us of the power of peaceful engagement across cultures.

From the pearl-laden shores of Sulu to the spice markets of Arabia, Zheng He’s era was a golden age of connection—one whose lessons resonate in our globalized world.