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Liu Gang, owner of the map, introduced it to Shenzheners yesterday. The map is a 1763 copy of an original map drawn in 1418, in the midst of Zheng He's great voyages, said Liu.
Liu claimed that the map was related to Zheng because an illustration on it recorded Zheng's adventure. The map also has rather accurate descriptions about aboriginals in Africa, America, Australia and the Middle East.
The map shows the shape of the world with remarkable accuracy, although it mistakes the Baja California peninsula for an island.
Gavin Menzies, author of bestseller 1421: The Year China Discovered America, contends that the discovery is further proof that Zheng He, and not Columbus, discovered America. Menzies’ book has sparked furious discussion in academic circles in China and beyond.
Liu said he bought the map from a Shanghai book dealer for 4,000 yuan (US$493) in 2001, and has carried out extensive research to try to authenticate it.
As a founding partner of one of China's largest law firms in Beijing, he had begun to question conventional wisdom about admiral Zheng He and his voyages after studying his purchase.
After reading Menzies' book last year, Liu realized that he might not be alone in questioning the achievements of Columbus.
Most records of admiral Zheng He's voyages were burnt by later emperors who disagreed with the expansionist policies of his patron, the Yongle Emperor, who died in 1424.
Liu has sent the map to the University of Cambridge for carbon dating, and the result is due next month.
Liu's possession may not be alone. Recently a Malagasy told Menzies that he had a Chinese map dating back to 1430, which might also relate to Zheng He, said Liu.
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Producer:Duan
Lei 
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