What if China found Mexico first?

Since the title of the thread indicates that a certain degree of hypothetical analysis is involved, maybe we should look at this from a strictly "what-if" standpoint.  That is, starting from the vantage point that the Chinese emperor has shown an interest in expansion and is willing to see the expedition through to its conclusion. 

We could start by determining what the reasons are, consistent with Chinese history, that China would establish a colony in Central America, perhaps comparing them with the Spanish reasons.  Would it be economic expansion, religious conversion, territorial expansion, or a combination of all? 

Although I do not know much about Chinese history, my guess is that it would be primarily for economic expansion, since by the 15th century, the beginnings of European ascendancy towards dominance was becoming apparent to many Asian civilizations.  Religious conversion does not seem feasible, since there was no imperative in Chinese religion (Buddhism/Confucianism?) to convert non-believers as there was in medieval Catholicism.  As far as territory goes, gaining more of it was probably not a priority since China was already fairly large as compared to most European kingdoms.

We would probably have to start by looking at how the Chinese treated peoples who were ethnically and linguistically different than them.  They considered the Mongols and Turkic tribes who lived in Central Asia to be barbarians because of their crude and rugged lifestyles.  Eventually Chinese culture and language usurped that of the conquering Mongols when they adopted it as a new dynasty.  And, of course, the Chinese cast a wary gaze upon the Europeans and their "strange" culture and restricted their influence. 

My guess is that the Chinese would consider the Native Americans in the same way as the Turkic tribesmen - that they were barbarians and their influence was undesirable in a more refined Chinese society.  They would build a wall around the colony (much like the Great Wall) to restrict access; and, if the Natives acted up, the governor of the colony would strike in the name of the emperor's mandate from heaven, to maintain order.

As far as Zheng He's being a Muslim having any bearing on how the Chinese would treat the natives, I don't think it would have much.  He was just one Muslim in a minority body in China.  There would not be a strong notion of Jihad in this small group as compared to the central role it had in Arab or Turkish Ghazi society.  Zheng He was probably more interested in the lucrative trading possibilities and the prestige of being a successful explorer than the prospect of getting 72 virgins in paradise!

IF the hypothetical Chinese colony is established in Central America, would this be the policy that they would use in respect to the Native Americans?

I agree with your assesment in most respects, but I do think that a Chinese visit to the Americas could have proved almost as catastrophic to the natives because of the possibility of bringing disease.

Why do you keep insisting in this, when it is has been proved again and again that the Chinese did not reach America.

Here's the reason why: you want to legitimate through an invented history that China's contemporary ascension to a global power is peaceful and not brutal. If you think that brutality is typical of the Europeans you're wrong. Just look to what contemporary China is doing in Tibet: a cultural genocide and a colonization with Han settlers. 

Get real.

Voyager, I've tried to be extremely polite and civil with you but I am really losing patience with you and I am pretty sure those who've read your posts feel the same too. First of all, among everyone that's contributing to this thread, why are you just picking on  me???? I am not even the person who started this thread. I am just one of the contributers.

Second, PLEASE read the title of this thread (which wasn't started by me) again. It is a hypothetical question and we are now engaging in a discussion here. If you don't know the meaning and spirit of discussions, maybe you shouldn't even come to AE in the first place if you are so insistent that everything you say and believe in is the absolute truth and everyone else's opinion is just garbage.

When and where did I claim that the Chinese would not and have not committed brutalities in other situations? When and where did I claim that brutality is the monopoly of Western imperialists? All we are doing now is talking about this particular hypothetical case. No one can be absolutely right or wrong when we are talking about a hypothesis. Is it that hard for you to distinguish between a hypothesis and reality?  

Get real.

If there's a need to close a thread, it's definitely not up to you to decide. It's up to the moderators. You can only contribute posts here - in a intelligent, civil, and tolerant manner. So far I see none of that in your posts and in your attitude.

In case you didn't notice this, most of the forumers who participate in this thread have an open-minded attitude whether he or she agrees or disagrees with the hypothesis. (By the way, nothing is life, let alone a "hypothesis, can be "proven" for sure. Your lack of understanding of this simple notion demonstrates you need more formal education.) You stand out from the rest of us in your shocking narrow-mindedness, utter lack of intellectual curiosity, and annoying absence of civility and respect for other people.  

Political motivation? What the hell are you talking about??? For as far as I can see, you ARE the one who has this inexplicable (and probably racist-motivated) Eurocentric view of the world that forbids anyone to challenge. If you bother to expand your intellectual curiosity a little more and read other threads in other sections, you should have noticed that I am the one consistently denouncing "centrism" of any sort, above all sinocentrism.  

No one is playing victim here and no one needs to gain sympathy. In case you didn't notice it, AE is not a school playground. Grow up, kiddo.

      A consideration-      Less than 60 miles separates Asia from the Americas. [the Bering strait]  Would it not be likely that one would know the other was there?

      Further, the striking similarities in decorative art styles of China and the North and South American native cultures is too much to be discounted lightly.

        I have several, however I'm having difficulty getting them to upload, have patience, please.  BTW Traveling to Mexico by hugging the coast from Alaska to the south would be logistically much more possible than a direct crossing of the Pacific, It's known that the Inuit did it in kayaks.  [to California, not Mexico]

Wow, this is interesting in terms of the military capabilities of Zheng He and his fleet. 

What kind of military power did he bring along with him on the voyages?  Were there marines for boarding other ships, or did he bring a small army with him, since the ships were so big that they probably could have contained a small army?  I am not too well-versed in Chinese history, so what would a 15th century Ming soldier be armored and equipped with, anyways?

I read something recently (a set of lectures delivered by the Sinologist J.J.L. Duyvendak), and it said that Zheng He demolished a gate and part of the city walls of a city on the coast of East Africa.  The great ships were floating off the coast and firing their bombard cannon.  That is pretty much all it said about the fleet's armaments.