Advancing Historical Discovery Through Research and Global Collaboration

Greetings, dear Friends and Supporters!

We are excited to be sharing our latest newsletter with you.

We believe that the story of global exploration is far richer and more interconnected than conventional narratives suggest. Thanks to your support, we’re uncovering truths that challenge the status quo and shine a light on the pioneering voyages of Zheng He, and the extraordinary legacy of Gavin Menzies.

But we can’t do it without you!

This latest edition features:

- Launch of the Gavin Menzies Research Foundation (UK registered charity)

- The “1418 World Map” Gains Recognition in China

- The Commonwealth of World Chinatowns Conference in Malaysia: September 2025

- Ongoing research which supports our mission

Foundation Milestone: Official UK Charity Status Achieved!

We are proud to announce the successful establishment of the Gavin Menzies Research Foundation (GMRF) as a registered UK charity. This significant milestone represents a new chapter in our commitment to advancing scholarly research into pre-Columbian maritime history and global exploration.

The GMRF is a UK-based grant-giving charity dedicated to funding innovative research in archaeology, with a focus on exploring diffusionism and ancient maritime civilisations. Established to honour Gavin Menzies’ pioneering work, GMRF provides essential resources to academic and scientific projects that seek to uncover the history of early exploration.

Visit our new website here: www.gavinmenziesresearchfoundation.org

A Note on How to Maximize Your Impact

The 1421 Foundation and the Gavin Menzies Research Foundation (GMRF) are two distinct organizations, each committed to advancing historical research and public education - but operating in different countries.

If you're based in the UK, we encourage you to support our work through GMRF, a registered UK charity eligible for Gift Aid, allowing your donation to go even further.

If you're in the United States, if you are able to make a donation to the 1421 Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, it ensures your contribution is tax-deductible and directly supports our initiatives in North America.

Wherever you're located, your support helps us preserve and share the legacy of global exploration.

We will be sharing information on specific projects on both websites. Through our websites, and by following our social media, you can explore our comprehensive research initiatives, review our publications, and make a secure donation to fund ongoing projects.

Every contribution directly supports archival research, scholarly conferences, publication costs, and educational programs that preserve and extend Gavin Menzies' ground-breaking work.

Significant Development: The 1418 World Map Gains National Recognition

Good news - in a landmark development for Chinese historical research, Liu Gang has formalized an agreement to donate a facsimile of the controversial 1418 "World Tribute Map" to the National Library of China.

This donation represents a crucial step toward institutional recognition of the map's historical significance and validates years of research into Chinese maritime achievements. Our team is actively engaging with international media, including reaching out to The Economist's author of "China Beat Columbus to it, perhaps" (January 2006) to explore renewed coverage that could generate global scholarly interest.

Read more about the donation here.

Commonwealth of World Chinatowns Conference in Penang: Malaysia September 2025

The Gavin Menzies Research Foundation and 1421 Foundation will have a significant presence at the Commonwealth of World Chinatowns Conference in Penang, Malaysia, from September 3-7, 2025. Representing the Foundations, Ian Hudson will deliver three talks examining Chinese maritime history. He will also be helping to curate an exhibition on China’s influence on the Italian Renaissance.

As well as many other fantastic talks and exhibits, the conference’s Zheng He Highlights will include:

• Presentations on Chinese maritime endeavours by Ian Hudson, Dr. Sheng-Wei Wang and members of the International Zheng He Societies from China, USA and Brazil.

• Curated exhibition at Jen Hotel: "Zheng He and China's Gift to the Renaissance" featuring 14 research panels.

• Collaborative art showcase exploring connections between Leonardo da Vinci and Chinese innovation.

• An exclusive presentation concerning the verification of a wrecked junk from Zheng He’s fleet in Australia.

• Networking opportunities with international researchers and cultural institutions

The conference represents an exciting opportunity to expand our international network, attract new research collaborators, and present Zheng He's historical significance to a global audience.

If you are able to join us in Penang, please click here.

Ongoing research which supports our aims:

Recent scientific endeavours continue to validate the importance of maritime history research and support the Gavin Menzies Research Foundation’s intention to research into the archaeology of pre-Columbian maritime exploration, and to disseminate to the public the findings of such research.

• Ancient Migration Research: Ancient seafarers in Southeast Asia may have built advanced boats 40,000 years ago

• Ancient Migration Research: 30,000-year-old sea voyage recreated with canoe built using ancient stone tools

• Chinese Maritime Heritage: Shanghai's commemoration of the 620th anniversary of Zheng He's voyages highlights continued international interest in Chinese exploration achievements.

These developments underscore the relevance and timeliness of the 1421 Foundation and Gavin Menzies Research Foundation's focus.

The 1421 Foundation (USA) and Gavin Menzies Research Foundation (UK) stand at a pivotal moment. With official charity status, international conference opportunities, and growing scholarly interest in alternative historical narratives, we have unprecedented potential to advance our ground-breaking research.

However, realising this huge potential requires financial support.

Your donations can fund:

• Primary source research and archival access
• International conference participation and presentation materials
• Publication and distribution of research findings
• Educational outreach programs
• Professional media engagement and communications
• Collaborative research partnerships with international scholars

Every contribution, regardless of amount, directly advances historical discovery and scholarly inquiry.

If you are able to, please make your donation now!

Support historical research that challenges conventional narratives:

Donate to the Gavin Menzies Research Foundation (UK).

Donate to the 1421 Foundation (USA).

Get Involved!

We welcome researchers, educators, and history enthusiasts to join our mission. For information about research collaborations, volunteer opportunities, or partnership possibilities, please contact us through our websites.

If direct financial support is beyond your reach, we warmly invite you to share our newsletter, spread the word on social media, and contribute your expertise and knowledge to our research community. Every action, big or small, propels us closer to our shared goals.

For further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Ian and the team