Not really because voyages happened for much different reasons, too.
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· 10 years ago
The Chinese empire was heavily centered on trade, often over long distances over the ocean. They had to make big ships for that.
European ships were small, not because on purpose but because the technology of Europe was pretty lacking at that time (remember it was the Chinese who invented like everything important in that time, like the compass, mechanical clocks, gunpowder, and toilet paper). Many European sailors would die on long voyages because the ship was too small to hold much food or water.
Zheng He actually sailed over half a century before Christopher Colombus (1424ish compared to 1492), and the entire Chinese fleet was dispanded when it returned due to changing domestic policies and leadership.
They even carried giraffes and elephants in their ships
European ships were small, not because on purpose but because the technology of Europe was pretty lacking at that time (remember it was the Chinese who invented like everything important in that time, like the compass, mechanical clocks, gunpowder, and toilet paper). Many European sailors would die on long voyages because the ship was too small to hold much food or water.