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FAQ: CGTN Documentary 'Genglubu: Charting the South China Sea'
The documentary explores the Genglubu, a handwritten navigation manual used by Hainan fishermen for generations before GPS, highlighting their maritime traditions, survival stories, and role in regional trade across the South China Sea and beyond.
The Genglubu is a handwritten navigation manual passed down through generations of fishermen in Tanmen, Hainan Province. It records routes, compass bearings, sailing distances, and sometimes includes mountain-and-water charts to help navigate reefs, islands, and open seas.
Hainan fishermen used the Genglubu to navigate the South China Sea before modern technology like GPS. It contained concise coded lines describing departure points, directions, destinations, distances, and estimated sailing times, enabling safe travel and fishing.
The Genglubu demonstrates centuries of Chinese maritime activity, including fishing and trade, in the South China Sea. It provides historical evidence of Chinese presence and economic engagement on the islands and waters, as noted by international law scholars.
No. Research shows routes extending to Singapore, Malacca, and Indonesia, indicating Hainan fishermen also participated in regional overseas trade beyond the South China Sea.
The knowledge was passed down orally and through handwritten manuscripts within families. The documentary highlights families who preserved these manuals and the tradition of teaching younger generations.
The documentary follows veteran captains like Wang Shitao, who survived multiple typhoons at sea, and Wang Shubao, who noted the family rule that 'children and brothers should never sail on the same boat' to avoid losing all male kin in a single disaster.
It reveals extreme risks such as typhoons and accidents that could wipe out entire crews. Fishermen like Wang Shitao expressed a complex relationship with the sea: 'I love the South China Sea. I hate it. I miss it.'
While modern tools like GPS, satellites, and weather stations have transformed navigation, the Genglubu served the same purpose—helping sailors travel safely—using manual observations and accumulated knowledge over generations.
The content does not specify where the documentary is available. It is produced by CGTN, so it may be accessible via CGTN's platforms or through media outreach channels.