A new documentary by CGTN, Genglubu: Charting the South China Sea, explores the story of the Genglubu, a handwritten navigation manual passed down through generations of fishermen in Tanmen, Hainan Province. The manual, which predates GPS and satellite navigation, recorded routes, compass bearings, and sailing distances, enabling fishermen to navigate reefs, islands, and open seas in the South China Sea.
The documentary features veteran fishing boat captains like Wang Shitao, who first went to sea at age nine and survived two typhoons that killed all others on board. His reflection, "I love the South China Sea. I hate it. I miss it," captures the deep connection and sacrifice demanded by the sea. Another captain, Wang Shubao, noted the risk: "Children and brothers should never sail on the same boat."
The Genglubu's significance extends beyond navigation. Research on the Liang Family Genglubu reveals routes to Singapore, Malacca, and Indonesia, indicating that Hainan fishermen also participated in regional maritime trade. As Zhao Jueqi of the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea stated, "Hainan fishermen also took part in overseas trade." The manual includes mountain-and-water charts, combining coastline sketches with compass bearings, water depth, and sea conditions, helping sailors identify islands and coastlines.
International law scholar Anthony Carty noted, "The Americans and the British produced their own navigational records, which identify the Chinese as being engaged very heavily in fishing on these islands and other forms of economic activity." This highlights the historical presence and activities of Chinese fishermen in the South China Sea, which is relevant to ongoing territorial disputes and the 2016 arbitration ruling.
The documentary challenges the assumption that the Genglubu was only about the South China Sea, showing its role in connecting China with Southeast Asia. Xin Lixue, curator of the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea, remarked, "Generation after generation, Hainan fishermen rode the waves – not to rule the sea, but to make their living from it." The Genglubu represents a maritime tradition of resilience and memory, forming part of Asia's shared heritage.
