Oman is an important country along the ancient Maritime Silk Road it enjoys a long history and splendid culture just like China. The two countries have a traditional friendship dating back more than 1,200 years, leaving behind a remarkable chapter of cultural exchanges in history.
In the year of 750 AD, the renowned Omani navigator, Abu Obeid, set sail from Sohar—the Omani port city—and successfully navigated a wooden sailing ship to Guangzhou, China. He became the first Arab recorded in Chinese history, marking the beginning of friendly exchanges between China and Oman.
During the Ming Dynasty, the great navigator Zheng He embarked on seven voyages to the Western Seas (Which refers to the North Indian Ocean and its coastal regions), during which he visited places including Dhofar in Oman four times. Dhofar, being one of the important trade hubs along the Indian Ocean coast, became a frequently-visited port of Zheng He's fleet. Through his expeditions, Zheng He conveyed the fine traditions of the Chinese nation, including love for peace, good neighborliness, and ceaseless self-improvement. These expeditions were extraordinary and remarkable peaceful maritime journeys in human history. They not only facilitated economic and trade interactions between China and other countries but also promoted friendly exchanges between ancient China and various nations worldwide. Furthermore, they laid the foundation for peaceful and amicable relations between China and Arab countries including Oman.
On May 25, 1978, China and Oman established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level, marking the beginning of contemporary China-Oman relations. In November 1980, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Oman's National Day, the replica of the "Sohar" ancient wooden sailboat, commissioned by the Sultan Qaboos, retraced the maritime journey of the Omani navigator Abu Obeid. Departing from Muscat, the "Sohar" embarked on a 231-day voyage, reaching Guangzhou and was warmly received by the local people. After its return to Oman, the "Sohar" was permanently placed on the Al Bustan Palace Roundabout, right in front of the Majlis Oman in Muscat, serving as a symbol of China-Oman friendship. This voyage was a remarkable event in the contemporary history of China-Oman exchanges, as well as the contemporary history of China's relations with Arab countries. It has marked the renewal of the historical ties between China and Oman and ushered in a new phase of development in the bilateral friendship.
In December 1995, Oman completed the construction of the "Sohar" monument in Guangzhou. Several years ago, in order to enhance the friendly relations between China and Oman， and further promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, the two sides has reached an agreement: China has decided to establish the Zheng He Monument in Salalah, which is the second largest city of Oman in the Dhofar Governorate, to commemorate the friendly exchanges between our two countries throughout history and to envision a bright future of everlasting interactions between our two peoples.
The Chinese Embassy in Oman commissioned the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design to create multiple design proposals, the one called "Yun Fan" stood out. President Xi Jinping once depicted the Belt and Road Initiative as follows: Our ancestors "crossed the desert for months on end on post-horses," and "sailed the oceans day and night," putting themselves at the forefront of friendly exchanges between different nations in the ancient world. The term "Yun Fan" was derived from this description and is also found in the famous inscription on the Tianfei Stele, which vividly illustrates the enduring spirit of Zheng He's seven great voyages. The monument is designed with a profound geometric logic, aiming to create a monument that can exist eternally in the river of time and the nature. The design of the monument’s main structure, is inspired by the waves and the bow of a ship, using graceful curves to recreate the scene of Zheng He's fleet sailing through wind and waves. The pathways within the monument also symbolize the winding maritime route of Zheng He's voyages.
In addition, the monument was constructed using cutting-edge 3D printing technology by China Communications Construction Company (Oman), who is the constructor of the program.
During the progress of this project, we have received strong support from the people’s government of Guangzhou Municipality and active cooperation from the Government of Dhofar Governorate.
In March 2021, during a visit to Oman, the then-Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi jointly unveiled the model of the Zheng He Monument.
With the support of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both China and Oman, the Chinese Embassy in Oman held the Groundbreaking ceremony for the Zheng He Monument in Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, on November 8, 2022.
The Zheng He Monument is located in the core area of the Dhofar’s nation-level coastal traditional culture, tourism, and business district. It will serve as a permanent landmark in Salalah. With the sea as its backdrop, the monument presents the history of Zheng He's great voyages and friendly interactions with the local people. It envisions a bright future of everlasting exchanges between the two countries. It will also provide a fresh spatial experience for the residents and tourists in the surrounding area.
On May 30, 2023, the Chinese Embassy in Oman held a completion ceremony for the Zheng He Monument in Salalah. H.E. Li Lingbing, Ambassador of China to Oman, H.H. Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohsen Al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, H.E. Yusuf Bin Issa Al Zadjali, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman, D.G. of the Asia-Pacific Department, H.E. Sheikh Muhammad bin Saif Al Busaidi, Mayor of Salalah, Dr. Khalid Alsaidi, Chairman of the Oman-China Friendship Association, and a delegation from the people’s government of Guangzhou Municipality led by Peng Gaofeng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Guangzhou People's Congress, attended the ceremony. More than 200 people, including friendly individuals from various sectors in Oman, representatives of Chinese enterprises in Oman, overseas Chinese, and representatives of Chinese and Omani media, gathered to witness this new historic moment.
The completion of the Zheng He Monument coincides with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Oman. This landmark building, with its unique significance, will become a new symbol of the continued progress of the friendship between China and Oman in the new era. It bears witness to the continuous consolidation of friendly relations and cooperation in various fields between China and Oman, and the construction of a community of shared future with mutual benefit and common development, bringing greater benefits to the people of both countries.
May 30, 2023
Chinese Embassy in Oman
Greetings to all of you! Here we are in the Salalah, a picturesque and delightful city located in the beautiful Dhofar Governorate of Oman. Standing on this wide and smooth beach, we can see the Zheng He Monument named "Yun Fan" silently standing tall. It harmonizes with the deep blue sea and the azure sky, forming a perfect coastal picture.
This monument resembles a fleet of sailing ships, with its graceful and dynamic lines exuding a sense of vitality and strength. Through this monument, we seem to witness the envoys of the ancient Silk Road "crossed the desert for months on end on post-horses". We seem to witness Zheng He's fleet "sailed the oceans day and night". Oman, as an important country along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, has witnessed the visits of the great Chinese navigator Zheng He four times, during his seven great voyages to the West Seas (Which refers to the North Indian Ocean and its coastal regions), specificly in the Dhofar area. Several years ago, the government of two countries has agreed to build a Zheng He Monument in Salalah, the second-largest city in Oman, to commemorate the friendly exchanges between our two countries throughout history and to envision a bright future of everlasting interactions between our two peoples.
To this day, the Zheng He Monument, designed and funded by China, has finally been completed. Great effort has been paid by the Chinese Embassy throughout the process. To ensure quality of design and construction, we have invited the globally leading designer----Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, and one of the most experienced constructor----China Communications Construction Company for the program, and the 3D printing technology was introduced during the construction.
In the implementation of this project, we have received significant assistance from the people’s government of Guangzhou Municipality and active cooperation from the Government of Dhofar Governorate. I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all parties who have provided their support to us.
The completion of the Zheng He Monument coincides with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Oman, which makes it not only a monument that witnesses the millennium-long friendship between the two countries, but also a milestone symbolizing the new development of the strategic partnership between China and Oman. With the continuous advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative, it is strongly believed that exchanges and cooperation between two countries in various fields will be even deeper. In the days to come, the people of China and Oman will continue to join hands and create a new chapter in the China-Oman friendship.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Sultanate of Oman
Li Lingbing
May 30, 2023