Europeans: The search for new trade routes to access lucrative Asian markets, especially for spices, silks, and other luxury goods.
Chinese: The desire to expand trade networks and establish new markets for Chinese products, such as porcelain and tea.
Political Motives:
Europeans: The rise of nation-states and the need to secure resources and territories to increase their power and prestige.
Chinese: The consolidation of the Ming dynasty and the desire to expand their influence and control over neighboring regions.
Technological Advancements:
Europeans: Improvements in shipbuilding, navigational instruments, and cartography allowed for longer and more accurate sea voyages.
Chinese: Advances in shipbuilding and the use of the compass facilitated maritime exploration and trade expeditions.
Religious and Cultural Influences:
Europeans: Missionaries sought to spread Christianity and establish religious outposts in distant lands.
Chinese: The spread of Confucian ideals and cultural influences through trade and diplomatic missions.
Scientific Curiosity and Exploration:
Europeans: An increasing fascination with the natural world and the pursuit of knowledge about distant lands and cultures.
Chinese: The desire to learn about and document foreign customs, plants, and animals, as evidenced in the travel accounts of Zheng He's voyages.