During the six years between 1405 and 1411, Zheng He's fleets set sail three times, with virtually no rest between voyages. Calling at ports throughout Southeast Asia and India, Zheng He solidified China's relations with countries and regions large and small, particularly in the areas of political and economic exchange. In the wake of Zheng He's voyages, foreign emissaries poured into China to pay return visits. Many of these envoys chose to travel to China on their own ships, rather than taking passage with Zheng He's fleets. Sails and masts dotted the South China Sea as Sino-foreign exchange grew with every passing day. During the course of his first three voyages, Zheng He made several stops in Jiugang (Palembang, Indonesia) where he eliminated pirate activity, thus strengthening China's ties with the countries of Southeast Asia and securing the safety of maritime routes through the area.

　　Zheng He's seven western voyages were instrumental in establishing friendly diplomatic relations between China and the rest of the world. This was the polar opposite of the disaster and suffering brought to the indigenous peoples of the Americas by Christopher Columbus. Zheng He promoted economic and cultural exchange between China and the countries of Asia and Africa, disseminating China's rich culture and spirit and implementing mutually beneficial trade relations. His peaceful methods won him a warm welcome from every country he visited, and greatly increased the Ming Dynasty's prestige throughout the area.