A display model showcases the maritime voyage of Zheng He. Photo: IC

The Galle Trilingual Inscription, a relic of China's Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) legendary navigator and diplomat Zheng He's voyages, jointly nominated by China and Sri Lanka, has been officially inscribed in the Memory of the World Register of UNESCO, the National Archives Administration of China told the Global Times.

The stele, erected over 600 years ago during Zheng's expeditions, is the only surviving overseas stone inscription directly related to his voyages and inscribed in three languages - Chinese, Tamil and Persian - making it a crucial relic of China's ancient Maritime Silk Road with significant historical value.

Academic value

The intricately carved stele features a rounded top with five-clawed dragons playing with a pearl engraved in relief on both its front and back, surrounded by traditional Chinese floral motifs. 

The inscription, still clearly legible today, records Zheng's fleet paying homage at sacred sites and making ritual offerings during their visit.

"There are many multilingual inscriptions in the world, but most of them are bilingual," Wang Hongmin, head of the Memory of the World program at the National Archives Administration of China, told the Global Times on Tuesday. "Among all trilingual inscriptions, only two include Chinese, and the Galle Trilingual Inscription is the only one inscribed in Chinese, Persian and Tamil."

Since its discovery in Sri Lanka in 1911, the stele has sparked sustained scholarly interest worldwide, giving rise to a transnational, multilingual, and interdisciplinary research network.  

"The stele stands as a testament to maritime trade, cultural exchange and friendly contact between China and South and West Asia in the early 15th century," Wang Hongmin said. 

Recalling history

This year marks the 620th anniversary of Zheng's legendary voyages. According to the National Archives Administration of China, Zheng first set sail from Nanjing in 1405. His journeys reached as far as South Asia, West Asia and the eastern coast of Africa.

The Galle Trilingual Inscription was originally carved in 1409 during the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty at the Longjiang Shipyard in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, now the site of the Zhenghe Treasure Ship Ruins Park. Zheng brought the stele to Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) during his third voyage.

The inscription records Zheng's offerings of equal value to multiple deities, including the Buddha, Allah and a Tamil Hindu god - all engraved on the same stone.

"This practice of honoring different deities on a single stele reflects the fleet's respect for religious diversity," Wang Deyan, head of the Chinese Department at the School of Liberal Arts and Law at the North China University of Technology, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

Ceylon served as a key maritime hub in the Indian Ocean during Zheng's time, playing a vital role in connecting Southeast Asia, India and the Arab world.

The Galle Trilingual Inscription was erected during Zheng's second maritime expedition under the decree of Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di), making it an imperial stele. 

The stone was likely sourced from the outskirts of Nanjing and carved in China before being transported by Zheng's fleet to Ceylon, where it was erected at a local Buddhist temple.

"Scholars generally agree that Zheng stopped at Ceylon during nearly every voyage and maintained friendly relations with the local people," Wang Deyan noted.

According to Wang Deyan, the inscription not only corroborates historical records found in Ming History, but also reflects a historical reality of coexistence and mutual respect among diverse ethnic groups, languages, and religions along the 15th-century Maritime Silk Road.

Path to future coexistence

According to Wang Deyan and his researh team, China and Sri Lanka have maintained a long-standing and close partnership in researching and preserving the Galle Trilingual Inscription.

Today, the stele is carefully housed at the National Museum of Colombo in Sri Lanka, while a replica is also preserved at the National Museum of Galle, serving as a symbolic artifact that links the historical memory and cultural friendship between the two nations.

This inscription reflects China's long tradition of peaceful diplomacy and its deep respect for multiculturalism, Wang Hongmin said.

"The historical realities embodied in this artifact remind today's world of the importance of drawing wisdom from the past and cherishing cultural diversity in pursuing global coexistence."

The Memory of the World Programme, launched in 1992, aims to safeguard global cultural heritage, promote its accessibility, and raise public awareness about the significance of documentary heritage.

"This successful inscription into the Memory of the World Register allows the people of China and Sri Lanka to revisit the long-standing history of our friendly exchanges," Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, told CCTV. "More importantly, people around the world will come to understand that friendly cooperation has always been the enduring essence of China's diplomacy."

In addition to the Galle Trilingual Inscription, two other Chinese nominations - Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng and the Steles of Shaolin Temple (566-1990) - have also been inscribed on the register. With these additions, a total of 18 Chinese documentary heritage items are now part of the Memory of the World.

"Through this international platform, we aim to tell China's story well, to showcase the depth and richness of Chinese civilization, and to highlight its contributions to human history," said Wang Hongmin.

The Galle Trilingual Inscription Photo: Courtesy of National Archives Administration of China