Internal dissension in the Majapahit kingdom during the end of the 14th century preconditioned a tendency among its vassals to become independent. One of its former vassals located in the heart of Malay world, i.e. Malacca, cut ties with Majapahit. The emergence of Malacca as an independent state at the end of the 14th century was immediately followed by its function as the trading centre of the Malay world. The rise of Malacca can be assumed to replace the role formerly played by Srivijaya. Its emergence was on one hand in line with the deterioration of the Majapahit kingdom and on the other hand it got protection from the Chinese emperor against the threat
coming from Ayutthaya which began to expand its military forces to the south. During that period, China was active to patrol Nanyang (southern sea) led by commander Zheng He