The Chinese government says that Kenyan Mohamed Sharifu and his family are descendants of Chinese sailors who were shipwrecked on Pate Island, off the coast of Kenya, in the 15th century. But Sharifu says he doubts the story.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]

Workers clean a model of a Chinese ship sailed by Chinese explorer Zheng He. He led seven seven voyages in which he sailed from China to more than 30 countries and regions throughout the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf from 1405 to 1433.
- [China Photos/Getty Images]

Chinese underwater archaeologists conduct research on the seabed off Shela village on Lamu Island, Kenya. They were sent to Kenya as part of a mission to find evidence of a Chinese shipwreck from the 15th century.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]

Chinese underwater archaeologists conduct research on the seabed off Shela village on Lamu Island, Kenya. They were sent to Kenya as part of a mission to find evidence of a Chinese shipwreck from the 15th century.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]

Chinese underwater archaeologists conduct research on the seabed off Shela village on Lamu Island, Kenya. They were sent to Kenya as part of a mission to find evidence of a Chinese shipwreck from the 15th century.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]

Chinese underwater archaeologists conduct research on the seabed off Shela village on Lamu Island, Kenya. They were sent to Kenya as part of a mission to find evidence of a Chinese shipwreck from the 15th century.
- [Erin Conway-Smith/GlobalPost]