REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The connection between China and south east asian people has been going on for a very long time. This is evident in the cross-culture found in various cultural expressions in Indonesia. Not only that, Islamic proclamations in the archipelago are also not separate from those of China.

In the introduction to the book entitled “Islam Indonesia and China: The Struggle of Santri Indonesia and China”, Prof. KH Said Aqil Siroj explains that the development of Islam in the archipelago is not separate from some Chinese scholars who preach to the archipelago.

“The history of Islamic development in the archipelago cannot escape the influence of China,” Kiai Said was quoted from the book.

According to several sources, Kiai Said said, some of the Wali Songo also had blood and scientific ties to the Chinese people. Sunan Gunung Djati or Syarif Hidayatullah also has a very close relationship with chinese tradition.

“Until now, we can witness how the Chinese community in Java often made pilgrimages to the tomb of Sunan Gunung Gunung Djati,” explains this former chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama.

In addition, there is also a Chinese figure who has great influence in the Southeast Asian region, namely Admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng He). According to Kiai Said, Cheng Ho's group of ships that came to the archipelago during seven expeditions (1405-1433), exerted a great influence on the cultural pattern of the south east asia.

This can be witnessed how the influence of Cheng Ho's travels, from Aceh to several coasts of Java. Thus, Kiai Said said, it is clear that the relationship between the archipelago and China is very close, and cannot be forgotten just like that.

“So, we need to dig deeper into how the good values of the Chinese nation are, for lessons for today's Indonesians,” Kiai Said explained.

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