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SCMP Open Questions | What an ancient Chinese map reveals about global history and modern power: Sheng-Wei Wang

8 May 2026

We have presented many of Dr Sheng-Wei Wang’s academic presentations and showcased her published works. While these are important to furthering scholarship, Dr Wang also understands that knowledge is something to be shared with everyone. Recently, she has given an interview in a format that is accessible to the general public.

On 13 April, 2026, The South China Morning Post published an interview with Dr Wang on the theory that Kunyu Wanguo Quantu (KWQ) 《坤輿萬國全圖》or “Complete Geographical Map of All Kingdoms of the World” is derived from China’s own knowledge systems instead of the knowledge being brought to China from Europe. Below is KWQ:

As you can see, the map shows the Americas and Austrailia. The map itself was printed in 1602, however, its contents show what the world was like during the era of the Ming Treasure fleet’s seven voyages. This is before the European “Age of Discovery”.

Dr Wang describes how she arrived at such a conclusion. She compared KWQ to other European maps of its era and noticed that it was inconsistent with those styles and how Europeans viewed the world. Since conventional history did not give an answer, she considered the possibility that this knowledge had actually originated from local Chinese sources. She then proceeded to consider China’s maritime history and compared this to the evidence found that the Chinese had been sailing the seven seas for millennia. The evidence that dates back to the Ming fleet is consistent with the KWQ.

Lastly, Dr Wang covers the burning question: If this is true, why is it hidden knowledge? She outlined how a veil of silence was kept by both China’s self-imposed isolation and by the Europeans who wished to maintain that becuase they discovered the world, it was theirs for the taking—also known as “The Doctrine of Discovery”. The suppression of this knowledge is therefore deeply embeded in European colonisation and it does not suit their narrative. This history calls for the colonisers to take responsibility without excuse. And that is the greatest threat of all.

We invite you to read the full article by Victoria Bela, here or here:

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3349808/what-ancient-chinese-map-reveals-about-global-history-and-modern-power-sheng-wei-wang

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