In the sixteenth century, the world had little knowledge about Southeast Asia. Western merchants and sailors of that time called the sea, which is encompassed by the present-day Southeast Asian countries, the “South China Sea” to refer to the enclosed sea basin and its location in relation to the surrounding countries lying to the north of Australia, east of India, and south of China.
Noong ikalabing-anim na siglo, maliit lamang ang nalalaman ng mundo tungkol sa Timog Silangang Asya. Tinawag ng mga kanluraning mangangalakal at mangingisda noong panahong iyon na “Timog Dagat Tsina” ang dagat na napapaloob ng mga bansa sa Timog Silangang Asya, ang rehiyon na hilaga ng Australia, silangan ng India at timog ng Tsina.