KUNMING - The Indonesian Cyber Media Network or JMSI delegation visited the tomb of Ma Hazhi, the father of Admiral Cheng Ho, at Yueshan Hill, Kunyang District, Yunnan Province, China, Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
The visit was part of the JMSI activities in Yunnan. Ma Hazhi's tomb is not far from the Jinning District Museum and was discovered in 1894.
The discovery of the tomb helped uncover the trail of the family of Cheng Ho, a Muslim admiral of the Ming Dynasty who led a major voyage to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, to the east coast of Africa in the 15th century.
JMSI Chairman Teguh Santosa said that Cheng Ho was not only known as a great explorer. His sailing trail also shows that the relationship between Indonesian and Chinese people has been established for centuries.
"Admiral Cheng Ho's name is well known in Indonesia. He is not only remembered as a great explorer in history, but also a symbol of friendship, diplomacy, and a cultural bridge," said Teguh.
According to Teguh, Cheng Ho's journey is proof of the relationship between the two nations growing through trade and mutual respect.
"The public relations of Indonesia and China have been forged for hundreds of years peacefully through trade based on mutual respect," he said.
Cheng Ho was born with the name Ma He. He later got the surname Zheng from Zhu Di, who would later lead the Ming Dynasty as Emperor Yongle.
After his military career rose, Cheng Ho was entrusted to lead the Chinese fleet. His voyage reached Semarang, Palembang, the Strait of Malacca, Champa, Siam, India, Sri Lanka, the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, to East Africa.
In Indonesia, Cheng Ho's name is immortalized in a number of mosques, including in Palembang and Batam. His trail in Semarang is also associated with the Sam Poo Kong area.
Ma Hazhi is said to have died in the war at the age of 39. The inscription on the back of his tombstone notes that Cheng Ho once visited his father's grave in the midst of his busy work as a military leader in Beijing.
Bukit Yueshan area is believed to be the birthplace of Cheng Ho. A 5.5-meter-tall statue stands in the area overlooking Lake Dian Chi.
Pembina Farah.id Farida Farhah said the visit showed that Cheng Ho was not just a figure in the historical story.
"Since childhood, we have often heard the name Cheng Ho. We used to think of him as a legend. It turns out that he exists and is real. His life story is really inspiring," he said.
JMSI Advisor Mursyid Sonsang said JMSI wants to bring a similar spirit in inter-state relations.
"Like Cheng Ho, we are also ready to become a bridge of culture and friendship in the digital era," he said.
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