"SILK DRAGON" is a dynamic cultural and entertainment project concerning China. It's purpose is to make the world aware of China's great maritime explorer, SAN BAO, and the incredible fleet of Ming Treasure Ships he led, sixty years before Columbus.
CONCEIVED by writer and explorer Mike Harris, the SILK DRAGON project involves:
of San Bao's fleet to historical accuracy (130 meters long, 28 meters wide, with 9 masts and a 3-tower Ming pagoda), filling the two ships with authentic Ming treasures from China's major museums and sending them out, as floating cultural exhibits, to the major coastal cities of the world;
SAN BAO
(also known historically as Cheng Ho) was a eunuch servant who led an incredible armada of Ming Treasure Ships for Zhu Di, China's Third Ming Emperor. From 1402 to 1424 China ruled the seas, as San Bao's treasure fleet traveled freely between China, southeast Asia, India and Africa. Appointed Admiral of the Ming Fleet by Zhu Di, San Bao showed the flag and established trade with many of the countries the fleet visited. San Bao's unique exploits, unmatched by European explorers at the time, ensures his place in history as one of the world's great maritime explorers.
We intend to publish a book entitled SILK DRAGON. The story is about San Bao, Zhu Di and the lovely lady-in-waiting, Morning Sun, who share a relationship that is both touching and tragic. Though fictionalized, the characters move within a background of historical authenticity, as provided by Ming historians in Beijing.
We intend to produce a 3-hour film for worldwide release that will be shot entirely on location in China. Also entitled SILK DRAGON 
and based on the book, the production will feature many well-known actors of international acclaim. Utilizing a cast of thousands, SILK DRAGON will capture the dramatic essence of this exceptional period in Chinese history. A documentary film will also be produced and a 4-color picture book published, which will give a behind-the-scenes look at how the feature film was produced.
Two large treasure ships, specifically constructed to historical accuracy in Chinese shipyards, will be filled with 'original' Ming artifacts and treasures provided by leading Chinese museums, and taken on a world tour. The tour will start in Hong Kong and will end eight years later in Lisbon, Portugal. More than a billion people are expected to become aware of this incredible historic, cultural project.
Together with our Chinese partners, who will handle the necessary administrative approvals, we plan to open the tomb of Zhu Di, 
China's Third Ming Emperor, and share this exciting discovery with the rest of the world. As archaeologists see for the first time the historic artifacts inside, their dramatic discovery will be transmitted 'live', via satellite, internationally. Zhu Di financed the construction of San Bao's huge armada of treasure ships, built Beijing's incredible Forbidden City, and also chose the location for his own burial mausoleum in the hills outside the capital city. Opening Zhu Di's tomb, the largest, most grand, and first built of the thirteen Ming tombs, and showing it 'live' to the rest of the world as the discoveries are being made, will surely be an exceptional historic, archaeological and entertainment event!
WANG GUANGYING, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, has expressed his full support for the project. He has afforded VIP treatment to the project's founders during their visits to China and facilitated contacts with other Chinese organizations.
MRS. WANG LIMEI, Director of the State Bureau of Relics, has agreed to provide our two treasure ships with only the most spectacular, 'original' Ming treasures from leading Chinese museums.
The CHINA INTERNATIONAL CULTURE AND ART CENTER (CICAC), whose chairman is WANG Guangying, has agreed to handle the book publication and the filming of the 3-hour theatrical production. The SILK DRAGON story has already been translated into Chinese and approved by Chinese authorities.
The "Baochaun" treasure ship has been designed to historical specifications by FUJIAN MARINE DESIGN AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE. A forum of leading Chinese shipbuilding and Ming-period experts have approved the design and will supervise the construction of the two ships.
RAYMOND BARRE, former Prime Minister of France, has agreed to be Co-Chairman (with WANG GUANGYING) of the project's International Advisory Board.
JEAN DIGNE, Director of AFAA (Association Francaise d'Action Artistique), French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has agreed to publish a running log book during the Treasure Ship world tour and has agreed to have French Ambassadors participate in 'official' social functions at all stops along the Treasure Ship tour route.
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JIM BROUGHTON, U.S. specialist in art and cultural exhibitions, is under contract to organize and manage the exhibitions on the two Ming Treasure Ships. Mr. Broughton has organized and managed many high profile exhibitions in the past, such as: "Treasures of the Czars", "Rameses the Great", "Splendors of Ancient Egypt", Alexander The Great", "Nepolean", and "Nicolas & Alexandria", etc. |
INCHCAPE SHIPPING SERVICES, an international company with offices in all the major coastal cities of the world, is under contract to handle all port services for our two Baochaun treasure ships, including the coordination and management of our international towing requirements.
COOPERS & LYBRAND, another international company with offices throughout the world, has agreed to provide SILK DRAGON with legal and tax assistance for the duration of its project.
BAKER & McKENZIE, has agreed to handle all international legal matters for the SILK DRAGON Projects.
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