China has begun to solicit a logo from the public for a range of activities next year to mark the 600th anniversary of the prestigious sea voyages of noted Chinese explorer Zheng He, according to an office formed to take charge of those activities on Friday.

From 1405 to 1433, Zheng's fleet made seven trips to some 30 countries in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and Africa.

Marine specialists hold that Zheng's fleet surpassed all other marine navigators of his time in scale, sophistication, technology and organizational skills in his seven sea trips, which represented a great event in the world's marine navigation history.

The best logo will be sorted out and the soliciting activity will end on June 30, 2004, noted sources with the office.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2004)