A new documentary by CGTN, Genglubu: Charting the South China Sea, delves into the history of the Genglubu, a handwritten navigation manual that guided Hainan fishermen across the South China Sea long before modern GPS technology. The documentary sheds light on a maritime tradition that is little known outside the region, highlighting the resilience and skill of generations of sailors who navigated one of the world's busiest waterways using only compass bearings, sailing distances, and handwritten notes.
The Genglubu, which translates to "sailing logbook," contains routes recorded in cryptic Chinese characters. A single line of fourteen characters can encode an entire sea route, including departure point, direction, destination, distance, and estimated sailing time. The documentary follows veteran fishing boat captains like Wang Shitao, who first went to sea at age nine and survived two typhoons that killed all other crew members. Despite these tragedies, he returned to the sea, reflecting, "I love the South China Sea. I hate it. I miss it." Another captain, Wang Shubao, noted the dangers of the trade, stating, "Children and brothers should never sail on the same boat."
The documentary challenges the assumption that the Genglubu was only used in the South China Sea. Research on the Liang Family Genglubu reveals routes extending to Singapore, Malacca, and Indonesia, indicating that Hainan fishermen also engaged in regional maritime trade. Zhao Jueqi, curator of the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea, said, "Hainan fishermen also took part in overseas trade." Some manuscripts include mountain-and-water charts, combining sketches of coastlines with compass bearings and water depth, helping sailors identify islands and reefs.
International law scholar Anthony Carty noted that American and British navigational records also identify Chinese fishermen as heavily engaged in fishing on these islands and other economic activities. The documentary, produced by CGTN, traces a maritime tradition shaped by ordinary people, emphasizing navigation, memory, and resilience as part of Asia's shared maritime heritage. The full documentary is available on CGTN's website.
