China's fleet reached Africa decades before Columbus sailed.

Between 1405 and 1433 Admiral Zheng He led seven expeditions. The first fleet counted 317 ships and nearly 28,000 men – Columbus set out in 1492 with three. Zheng He reached India, Arabia and the East African coast. After that the Ming court discontinued the voyages.

Useful: A technological lead decides nothing if a government stops pursuing it.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

15 jahrhundertChinaSeefahrt

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