Another fact proved by Zheng He's seven successful trips to the west and by his being able to create a harmonious relationship with many countries is that upholding peace requires not only good will, but also powerful strength. To beg for peace without the backup of strength, peace is hardly achievable, while peace secured with strength will eventually thrive.

　　In Western scholars' view, the fleet led by Zheng He could be rated as a peerless special mixed fleet at sea. Zheng He's Fleet, which sailed to and fro seven times to the western part of the India Ocean, had virtually become a sea-stationed "peacekeeping force", playing a vital role in maintaining peace of that region. The credit for this partly went to the peaceful mission bore by Zheng He and his subjective desire for peace, but the key reason rested with that he commanded a mighty military force that could trustworthily maintain the peace. The intention of peace strategy could only be realized with the backup of strategic power. To "break the enemy without fighting", one should have that kind of strength; and to achieve a peaceful international environment, one too should possess the suitable might. Zheng's seven voyages were peace-envoy's visits, but the fleet he commanded was a formidable maritime military force, which mirrored his in-depth understanding of the principle of "breaking the enemy without fighting", and likewise in which resides the reason for his effective good-neighborliness diplomatic work and the great achievements of peace.

　　Up to now, China has been practicing the independent foreign policy of peace all along, which has not only cast off the conceited mentality of being the "Heavenly Kingdom towering over others" as being cherished in the feudal society of China, but has also promoted the good traditions of peace strategy since ancient times. In the meantime, China reasonably develops its military power, and continuously promotes the radiation effects of the overall national strength and that of its "soft" power of the Chinese traditional culture in particular, thus offering the guarantee for its responsibility of the times in maintaining global and regional peace.

　　Six hundred years ago, China was powerful but presented no threat to other countries. Six hundred years later, China's rejuvenation will be even less likely to threaten other countries.

　　(By Sun Jianhang)