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Meeting Zheng He researchers

遇见郑和研究者

Born in Malacca, Suhail is the co-author
of Laksamana Zheng He Teladan Mer-
entasi Zaman and serves as the prin-
cipal researcher for the Zheng He
Legacy Group at the World Civ-
ilization Research Association.
Our reporters interviewed this
researcher in Kuala Lumpur in
May of this year.
Through two years of re-
search and field visits, Suhail
has thoroughly examined Zheng
He’s maritime exploits. “Zheng He’s
greatness lies in his continuous innova-
tion and courage to explore new worlds,” he
said. He further attributes much of Zheng He’s legacy t o
the deep understanding he gained of local cultures during his voyages,
his ability to build friendships with the locals, and the prosperity and
development he fostered in the regions he visited.
Suhail believes that Zheng He’s spirit of exploration is still relevant
today. He is currently working on projects to encourage Malaysians to
travel and study in China. “More and more Malaysians are taking tours
of Yunnan, drawn to its therapeutic natural settings and lifestyle, and
the TV series Meet Yourself has gained immense popularity. This year,
I also plan to visit Dali,” said Sohail. In his view, TV dramas and liter-
ature have helped bridge understanding between the two countries, and
field trips are essential for deepening this exchange. By experiencing
Chinese culture and customs firsthand, he contends that Malaysians
can more fully appreciate the charm of China.
This year marks the 50 anniversary of diplomatic
th
relations between China and Malaysia. At
the forum celebrating this milestone
in Kuala Lumpur, our reporters
spoke with Sun Zhiguo, vice
president of the China Zheng
He Research Association. He
remarked, “Zheng He sym-
bolizes the initial step in the
friendship between China
and Malaysia and serves as a
bridge for our economic and
cultural exchanges today. By
building on this historical con-
nection, the two nations can work
together to seize future opportunities and
address challenges in areas such as tourism,
education, science and technology, and infrastructure development.”
The mutual visa exemption between China and Malaysia acts like
an invisible red thread, connecting the hearts of the two nations and
allowing their people to visit one another freely, fostering vibrant peo-
ple-to-people exchanges. Sun mentioned that the Zheng He Culture
Tourism Festival, held in Kunming, Yunnan Province—the hometown
of Zheng He—has become a significant platform for showcasing his
maritime achievements and promoting his spirit, attracting numerous
domestic and international tourists. Following in Zheng He’s footsteps,
travelers can experience the lingering warmth of that glorious history
in the historic streets of Malacca.