International academic circles generally agree that historical events like the Sea Goddess Mazu in Fujian in the Song Dynasty, the junk building technology and Zheng He's voyage have all proven that Fujian is the cradle of maritime civilization.
The traditional junk building technology in Qihou Village in Zhangwan Town, Ningde City, Fujian, has been passed on for more than 650 years. The more than 40 builders all belong to the Liu family. They pass on their skills only to males, but not to females. They are masters and apprentices, fathers and sons, uncles and nephews.
According to the history of the Lius in Qihou Village in Zhangwan Town, the ancestor Liu Dimei left Minnan for Ningde by sea in order to escape from wars in the Ming Dynasty. After he had settled down, he began to make junks. His skills have been passed on for 26 generations. The watertight bulkhead technology of Chinese Fuchuan Junks originated in the Tang Dynasty. It is one of the greatest technologies in maritime history. The cabins inside the junk are independent and the hull is waterproof. Even if it runs against a rock by accident, only the affected cabin will be damaged and the junk will not sink. The design maximizes the safety of passengers and has been regarded as a state-level intangible cultural heritage item. It was inscribed in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2010.
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