From the International Herald Tribune:

In a world gripped by the rise of China, it is not surprising that the exploits of a Chinese Muslim eunuch whose armada of ships ranged as far as the coast of Africa 600 ago draws attention. But for millions of ethnic Chinese living in Southeast Asia, the anniversary this year of Admiral Zheng He‘s maiden voyage out of Nanjing is an occasion for introspection about their place and identity in a world affected by the growth of China’s power.

See more on Zheng He.