摘要：15、16世纪，中西方都进行了大规模的航海运动，即郑和下西洋和新航路的开辟。对于世界航海史来说，郑和下西洋是个奇迹，但是却与历史的机遇擦肩而过。而新航路开辟却为人类翻开了崭新的篇章，这其中的原因是多方面的。首先，笔者认为差异的根源就在于经济基础的不同。当时的明朝，小农经济占主导地位。而当时的西方，已经产生了资本主义的萌芽。其次，郑和下西洋的根本目的是在为政治服务，而新航路的开辟的根本目的则是为经济服务，因此如果要为两次航海各加一个形容词，可以是“政治目的下的郑和下西洋”和“经济性质的新航路开辟”。

关键词 郑和下西洋  新航路开辟  比较

Abstract:During the 15th and 16th centuries,China and Western countries have carried out a large-scale sailing,Zheng He's Voyages and the Opening Of New Sea Routes. Zheng He's Voyages is the miracle of the world's maritime history,but it do not hit historic opportunity. The Opening Of New Sea Routes has opened up for mankind opened a new chapter.There are many reasons for it.In the first place,I believe that the root of the difference lies in the different economic base. At the time of the Ming Dynasty,small-scale peasant is dominated.At the time of the West,it has produced the seeds of capitalism.Secondly,for Zheng He's Voyages,its fundamental purpose is to serve politics.But for The New Route Opens,its fundamental purpose is to serve economy.If you want to add an adjective before them,they can be‘political Zheng He's Voyages’and ‘economy the Opening Of New Sea Routes’.

Key words  Zheng He's Voyages   the Opening Of New Sea Routes    Comparison