A new documentary from CGTN titled Genglubu: Charting the South China Sea examines the ancient navigation manual that guided Hainan fishermen across the South China Sea for generations, long before the advent of GPS and satellite technology. The Genglubu, a handwritten book of routes, compass bearings, and sailing distances, allowed fishermen to navigate reefs, islands, and open seas, connecting China with Southeast Asia and beyond.
The documentary features veteran fishing boat captains whose lives were deeply intertwined with the sea. Wang Shitao, who first went to sea at age nine, survived two typhoons that killed everyone else on board. Reflecting on his decades at sea, he said, 'I love the South China Sea. I hate it. I miss it.' Another captain, Wang Shubao, emphasized the risks, stating, 'Children and brothers should never sail on the same boat.'
Contrary to common assumptions, the Genglubu was not limited to the South China Sea. Research on the Liang Family Genglubu reveals routes extending to Singapore, Malacca, and Indonesia, indicating that Hainan fishermen participated in regional maritime trade. 'Hainan fishermen also took part in overseas trade,' said Zhao Jueqi of the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea. Some manuscripts include mountain-and-water charts, combining sketches of coastlines with compass bearings, water depth, and sea conditions, helping sailors identify islands and determine their position.
International law scholar Anthony Carty noted that '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.'
The documentary, released ten years after the South China Sea arbitration, sheds light on a chapter of maritime history unfamiliar to many outside the region. It traces a tradition shaped by generations of ordinary people, a story of navigation, memory, and resilience that forms part of Asia's shared maritime heritage. Today, while satellites and weather stations have transformed navigation, the purpose remains the same: helping sailors travel safely and return home.
