Aerial Treasure Ships?

In the 15th century, China had a fleet of huge, ornate ships. They weren’t built for speed or war,n they were an ostentatious display of luxury and opulence. They were much bigger than the practical craft which carried the European explorers on their voyages of discovery. They were floating advertisements for trade with China, a statement that China could go wherever she wanted, whenever she wanted. Before Vasco da Gama arrived in India, these huge vessels sailed leisurely up and down the cost. They didn’t have to DO much of anything; they simply were.

All week I’ve been trying to think what these Chinese balloons, one drifting majestically over North America, one over South America, reminded me of.

And this, the Ming “Treasure Ships”, is it.

It really doesn’t matter what data they may have collected. The point is just that theyare,a king their slow, deliberate voyages unimpeded, and we all see it.

God save the West.