Revisiting Zheng He’s Image in Malay-Muslim Civilization: Political Challenges and Religio-Cultural Opportunities in Southeast Asia

In recent decades, the Chinese government has increasingly promoted Admiral Zheng He – known in Southeast Asia as Cheng Ho - as a symbol of peaceful diplomacy and intercultural harmony, embedding this image within its broader soft power strategy in the Muslim world. However, this diplomatic initiative intersects with complex regional realities in Southeast Asia, where religious identity, historical memory, and cultural sovereignty are deeply rooted. This article revisits Zheng He’s image within the context of Malay-Muslim civilization, with particular attention to Indonesia and Malaysia, highlighting its relevance to contemporary political and religio-cultural dynamics. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach that integrates historical analysis, civilizational studies, and regional geopolitics, the article explores how Zheng He’s legacy is perceived, reinterpreted, and contested among Malay-Muslim communities. The findings reveal a dual dynamic: on the one hand, Zheng He’s legacy offers opportunities to strengthen cultural diplomacy, economic collaboration, and interfaith dialogue in Southeast Asia; on the other hand, it presents challenges related to local political sensitivities, religious identity, and historical contestation. While Zheng He provides a shared historical reference point fostering inter-civilizational dialogue and religious tolerance, his symbolic usage also raises critical questions about political motives, cultural authenticity, and historical appropriation. Ultimately, this article contributes to a more critical understanding of how historical figures are mobilized within modern geopolitical narratives and their implications for identity politics in Muslim-majority regions of Southeast Asia. More broadly, the article offers insights for Chinese policymakers and states engaged in diplomacy with China.