郑和下西洋与明代对外关系之再认识

Zheng He’s Voyages to the Western Oceans and A Fresh Understanding of the Foreign Policy of the Ming Dynasty

研究郑和下西洋及明代的对外政策,首先必须从已有的史料出发,在前人研究成果的基础上,利用新发现的资料作小心求证,得出的结论方能令人信服。明代对外政策的成功有三个特点:一是建立了以"王道"和"公平"为核心价值的中华文明统治秩序,二是输出文明而不占有他国领土,三是以强盛国力和军事实力为对外政策提供坚强后盾。这应成为当今中国和平崛起、参与全球治理的范式。

To study Zheng He＇ s voyages to the Western Oceans and the foreign policy of the Ming Dynasty, we are first of all required to start from the known documents and material , on the basis of the fruits of former researches and make use of the newly-discovered material, so as to seek proof only in this way can we draw a convincing conclusion. Ming Dynasty＇ s foreign policy was characterized with three features. （ i ） They established a civilized order of rule with＂ stately reason＂ and ＂fair＂ as core value. （ ii ） They exported civilization but never occupied other＇ s territory. （iii ） They supported foreign policy with their state power and military strength. This should be the model of peaceful rising and participating in the global governance.