One of the ports of call on Zheng He's first western voyage was Brunei on the island of Borneo. In the sixth year of the Yongle reign period (1408 AD), Maharaja Karna, the Sultan of Brunei, visited China in the company of his imperial concubine, brothers and sisters, and numerous court officials.

　　This was the first time a foreign potentate had visited China, and Zhu Di, the Yongle Emperor, offered the Brunei delegation an extremely warm welcome. Not only were the visitors granted a personal audience with the Emperor, they also met with the highest ranking officials of the Ming court and participated in extensive diplomatic activities.

　　Emperor Zhu Di placed great importance on establishing cordial relations between China and Brunei. Unfortunately, in October, 1406, while still at the Ming court, the Sultan of Brunei fell ill and died. Before passing away, he expressed his sincere friendship and affection for China. Emperor Zhu Di instituted a three-day period of mourning to commemorate the Maharaja Karna's untimely death, and arranged for him to be buried in Nanjing with full imperial honors.