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Tracing the geopolitical influences on the morphological and functional transformation in Guangdong merchant ships: Knowledge mining from the Ming and Qing maritime archives

  • 0School of Art and Design, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Guangzhou, China.
Plos One +

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January 9, 2026

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January 9, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Economic and military needs drove the evolution of Guangdong merchant ships during China's Ming and Qing dynasties. Ship design adapted to trade demands and security threats, reflecting technological and geopolitical influences.

Area Of Science

  • Maritime History
  • Economic History
  • Technological History

Background

  • Limited understanding of functional evolution and drivers of ancient Chinese maritime vessels.
  • Shift in research focus from political to economic and technological dynamics.
  • Need to explore geopolitical factors influencing ship morphology.

Purpose Of The Study

  • Investigate geopolitical factors shaping Guangdong merchant ship morphology (Ming-Qing dynasties).
  • Analyze the interplay of economic, military, political, and geographic influences on ship design.
  • Assess functional attributes of representative ship types through visual-comparative analysis.

Main Methods

  • Text mining using KH Coder.
  • Word frequency analysis and co-occurrence network modeling.
  • Visual-comparative analysis of ship types.

Main Results

  • Economic and military imperatives were primary drivers of ship design.
  • Piracy threats led to reinforced structures; Canton System favored high-capacity designs.
  • Ming vessels (teak/cedar) differed from Qing vessels (alloys, enhanced seaworthiness, sharper bows).

Conclusions

  • Guangdong's maritime development influenced by location and shipbuilding technology.
  • Ship design evolved from broad to agile and durable configurations, adapting to trade expansion and security.
  • Merchant ships serve as a nexus of institutional logic, technology, and geopolitics in maritime historiography.