The Straits of Malacca

In The Straits of Malacca: A Cartographic Journey Connecting the South China Sea with the Indian Ocean and Beyond, Julian Candiah takes audiences on a visual and historical voyage through one of the world’s most strategic waterways. Using rare antique nautical charts from his personal collection—including a 1794 Laurie & Whittle chart of the China Sea and an 1810 chart of the Macao Roads by Daniel Ross—the talk explores how the Straits of Malacca served as a maritime crossroads between China, India, and Europe. 

The presentation traces the region’s role in the long-distance relay of goods from Japan and China to Europe, highlighting the Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial presence in Southeast Asia. It also examines the 1757 establishment of the Co Hong system in Canton, a pivotal moment in the regulation of trade between China and the West, and an early chapter in the story of globalization. 

The Speaker