Chinese Translations of the Concept of “Sea Power” in Modern China: Focusing on Yan Fu’s Translation of Masterpieces

As a scholar, Yan Fu is best known for his translations of “Eight Famous Works”. As a naval instructor, Yan Fu studied in England, gaining a profound understanding of global affairs and the significance of sea power. Yan Fu’s translations not only introduced the concept of “Sea Power” to China but also facilitated its localization. In the translation of sea power, by supplementing historical background, theoretical foundations, and practical significance, Yan Fu endowed the concept of sea power with not only meanings related to “rights” and “power” but also with strategic implications for saving the nation from crises and achieving national rejuvenation. By comparing Western ideas of maritime exploration with China’s traditional “land-centered” worldview, and contextualizing these ideas in the face of internal and external struggles, Yan Fu used powerful language to construct cultural memory. By linking sea power with national strength, national security, and economic prosperity, Yan Fu made the concept of “Sea Power” one of the central elements in the formulation of modern Chinese maritime strategy.