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The Belt and Road Seminar – The Maritime Transport History of Southeast Asia

2024-09-24

“The Belt and Road Seminar – The Maritime Transport History of Southeast Asia” co-organized by Maritime Silk Road Society and Hong Kong Public Archaeological Society was held on 24 September in JC Cube, Tai Kwun. Dr Ji Weiwei, Founding Chairperson of Hong Kong Public Archaeological Society, was the moderator; Dr Au Chi Kin, Associate Professor of Department of History and Director of Tin Ka Ping Teaching and Research Centre for Filial Piety of Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Dr Ng Man Kwong, registered engineer, and Dr Peter Wong, archaeologist, were the guest speakers.

The seminar consisted of three sections. The first section was “Maritime Transport History of Ancient and Contemporary Southeast Asia (including China)” presented by Dr Au Chi Kin. He introduced the map of the 21^st century China and the origin of the Silk Road. Then, he explained the maritime transport history, rise and fall of command of the sea as well as the archaeological discoveries of China and Southeast Asia from Qin to Qing Dynasties.

The second section was “Modern Maritime History and Future Developments” presented by Dr Ng Man Kwong. He shared his own sea voyage experience and introduced the most famous sea voyagers in history, maritime transportation organizations, commercial ships, and operations of maritime transport. He also shared his insights on the role of Hong Kong maritime transport and future developments.

The third section was “Hong Kong Maritime Transport History” presented by Dr Peter Wong. Hong Kong used to have the world’s largest cargo handling capacity, with Sir Yue-kong Pao and Tung Chao-yung being the biggest names. He explained the geographical advantages of Hong Kong as an important sea route since ancient times. He demonstrated Hong Kong’s major maritime routes, and the archaeological discoveries there. He also covered the discoveries and sailing skills of the Nanyue Kingdom, the Maritime Silk Road route, the founding and strategic values of Tuen Mun, archaeological discoveries of Sung Wong Toi, the underwater archaeological discoveries of “Nanhai No.1” and foreign experts’ insights on Hong Kong maritime transport.

During the Q&A session, the participants discussed maritime arbitration, maritime sovereignty, and maritime history education in Hong Kong with the speakers.

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