The Ming Dynasty developed productive connections with other countries to a significant extent. One piece of evidence is the expeditions led by Admiral Zheng He, which established maritime trade routes and diplomatic relations with various countries across Asia and Africa. Another evidence is the presence of foreign embassies, such as the Portuguese and the Dutch, in the Ming court, which facilitated cultural and commercial exchanges. Additionally, the introduction of new crops, such as maize and peanuts, from the Americas through Portuguese traders indicates the Ming Dynasty's engagement with the global economy.
The Ming Dynasty in China did establish productive connections with various countries, albeit to different degrees. One example is the voyages of Zheng He, a Chinese explorer who led expeditions across the Indian Ocean during the early 15th century. Zheng He's expeditions demonstrated the Ming Dynasty's desire to develop trade and diplomatic relations with countries like Southeast Asia, India, and even East Africa. However, the Ming Dynasty later adopted a policy of isolationism, restricting foreign trade and focusing more on domestic issues, which limited the extent of its connections with other countries.
