Salalah – A foundation stone was laid for construction of a memorial dedicated to the Chinese mariner and explorer Zheng He at a seafront site in Salalah on Tuesday.

Organised by the Embassy of China in Oman, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and Dhofar Municipality, the event saw officials from Oman and the embassy, including H E Dr Ahmed bin Mohsin al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality; H E Li Lingping, Chinese Ambassador to Oman; Abdullah bin Khalid al Sulaimani, Acting Director-General of East Asia Department in Foreign Ministry; and Dr Khalid al Saidi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Omani-Chinese Friendship Society.

“I am very pleased that we are gathered here today at the beautiful Al Haffa Beach in Salalah, Dhofar, for the foundation-stone laying ceremony for the monument to the Chinese traveller Zheng He, representing the historical friendship between China and Oman,” said H E Lingbing.

The early Ming dynasty explorer and diplomat led huge fleets westwards seven times, reaching Dhofar four times. “His missions to the western ocean were considered great peaceful voyages in human history, laying a solid foundation for friendship between China and these countries, sowing seeds of peace and friendship between China and Oman,” she added.

On his part, Sulaimani said, “With the advent of the 52nd glorious National Day of Oman, today we are celebrating the laying of the foundation stone for a memorial dedicated to the famous Chinese mariner and explorer Zheng He, who visited Oman in the 15th century AD. It is considered as the beginning of communication between Oman and China.”

He described the current relations between the two countries as a “strategic partnership through which the sultanate affirms the principle of one China”.

He informed that the volume of bilateral trade exchange was to the tune of US$330bn at the end of 2021.

The monument, designed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, is inspired by the Maritime Silk Road on which Zheng He travelled. It will be constructed by China Communication Constructions Company using 3D printing technology.

According to Li Guowei, managing director, the monument’s design is inspired by both Omani and Chinese cultures, including sailing on a dhow in the sea. “Ancient sailors used stars at night to navigate routes,” he said. Construction work is expected to be completed in the next six months.

(Contributed by Hibba al Kindi)