[Oman-L] Oman search for Chinese vessel gone missing in 15th century

[Joachim Duester]

Oman launches search for Chinese vessels gone missing in 15th century    
Source: Oman Daily Observer, 19 April 2009

A ceremony was held at the Said bin Sultan Naval Base at Wudam coastal
area in the Batinah region yesterday to launch a marine survey and
search for the wreck of Chinese vessels Zing-Hi, believed to have gone
missing off the Omani coast between 1405 and 1433 AD. The ceremony was
attended by Abdulaziz bin Mohammed al Rowas, Adviser to His Majesty the
Sultan for Cultural Affairs, Lt Gen Malik bin Sulaiman al-Maamari,
Inspector General of Police and Customs, Rear Admiral Abdullah bin
Khamis al-Raisi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman, Major General
Salim bin Musallam Qatan, Assistant Inspector General of Police and
Customs, under-secretaries and representatives of parties taking part
in the project.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ali bin Saud al-Bimani, Vice-Chancellor of
the Sultan Qaboos University, said that the project signifies
scientific and cultural cooperation between the Sultanate and China and
reflects the depth of historical relations. The guests were briefed
about the project and the equipment on board the Royal Navy of Oman’s
vessel Al Munassir, which is taking part in the marine survey. The
search comes as part of cooperation between the Sultanate, represented
by the Sultan Qaboos University, and China.