After reaching Java, Zheng He's fleet continued west to Semudra, a small country located in northwest Sumatra in present-day Indonesia. Semudra was situated on the main maritime route between East and West. All ships traversing the Straits of Malacca had to pass by Semudra, leading it to become a flourishing maritime trade center.
Zheng He's fleets visited dozens of widely separated countries and regions. Semudra served as a major staging area, where the fleet took on supplies before splitting up to follow different routes to various destinations.
The Ming government attached great importance to establishing friendly relations with Semudra. Zheng He's voyages were instrumental in achieving this goal.
(ChinaCulture.org June 16, 2005)
