Unpleasantness often arises as China tries to exert its influence in the region. This is attributable to China's lack of experience in handling cross-cultural interactions and its inadequate understanding of the other. Yet this problem is not caused by China's traditional value system. In fact, China's maritime history offers many useful lessons for current leaders to develop the Maritime Silk Road, for example, China's export of porcelains, Zheng He's expeditionary voyages and cross-cultural management as well as the tributary system of the Ming dynasty.