What was the impact of Zheng He's exploration on China?

The first major impact that Zheng Hes exploration had on China was that China obtained a greater sense of security. In the 15th century, war was not uncommon in the region and although China was perfectly capable of defending against attacks for other countries, wars would deplete the treasury and lives would be lost. When Zheng He went on his expedition, he brought along a fleet of 300 ships and 28000 men. The sheer size of the fleet showed the world that China was a powerful and prosperous country, and that China was not to be trifled with. Also, the diplomatic relations that were formed during Zheng Hes expedition helped to strengthen political links between China and other nations, and also helped China to obtain vassal states. These vassal states could act as a buffer zones during an invasion and also to provide extra manpower and monetary resources in times of war. Exploration allowed China to be able to deter potential enemies and threats for harming or attacking China, and also promised China some assistance and support in case of a war, thus giving China a greater sense of security. The second major impact of Zheng Hes exploration on China was that China was able to forge diplomatic ties with other countries. Emperor Hongwu had closed all political and trade links with other countries, thus creating a sense of hostility towards other nations. When Zhu Di became the emperor, China wanted to show the rest of the world that it was friendly. Zheng He brought along many tributes that were to be given to the rulers of these other countries as a sign of friendship on his voyage. When these tributes were given to the rulers of other countries, the rulers also sent envoys to go back to China with Zheng He to present tributes to Emperor Yongle. This exchange of tributes allowed diplomatic relations to form between China and other countries. Such relations reaped great profits for China as Chinese products such as tea and porcelain were in high demand in the world at that time Also, these countries could potentially become vassal states of China and act as an extra buffer zone for China in case of an invasion and also provide extra manpower and monetary resources to China in times of war. The third major impact was that China regained its image as a prosperous and powerful country. Before the Ming dynasty, the mongols had been ruling China, and they were commonly seen as barbaric and uncivilised. Thus, when Zheng He went on his expedition, he brought along 300 ships and 28000 men, and this in turn showed the world that the mongols were gone and the Hans were ruling China again. By doing so, they were able to show the world that China was a powerful and prosperous country, and they were respected as a regional superpower that could bring many economic benefits to the region. Also, they were respected as a powerful nation that was not to be trifled with. Thus, exploration helped China to restore her image as a powerful and prosperous nation.