Maritime Taiwan: Historical Encounters with the East and the WestFor centuries the island of Taiwan, 100 miles off the Asian mainland, has been a crossroads for traders and settlers, pirates and military schemers from around the world. Unlike China, with its long tradition of keeping foreigners out, Taiwan has a long history of interaction, both hostile and friendly, with other seafaring nations near and far. "Maritime Taiwan" captures the full drama and details of this remarkable history. It's filled with fascinating stories of foreign adventurers and echoes the bitter songs of Taiwan's aboriginal population, confronted by the convergence of different maritime cultures and values on the island.Here are accounts of the legendary pirate Koxinga, the Chinese junk trade, the mighty Dutch East India Company, British opium traders and Scottish tea merchants, Jesuit priests and Presbyterian missionaries, A French fleet commander, a Japanese colonial administrator, an American aid official, and many more. Here too is an extraordinary view of Taiwan over the centuries, as its distinct identity, culture, and values were shaped by its unique history. Today, with a population of only 23 million, Taiwan is the world's nineteenth largest economy, a vibrant, relatively free society on the strategic route between China and Southeast Asia. Maritime Taiwan also discusses the significant impact of American military, economic, educational, and technological aid on Taiwan's developments and addresses the island's continued importance in maintaining the U.S. hegemony in East Asia. |
Contents
The Dutch the Spaniards | 19 |
Taiwan Southeast Asia and Coastal China | 45 |
Consulates Trading Firms | 63 |
Copyright | |
8 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Maritime Taiwan: Historical Encounters with the East and the West Shih-Shan Henry Tsai Limited preview - 2014 |
Maritime Taiwan: Historical Encounters with the East and the West Shih-shan Henry Tsai No preview available - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
aboriginal administration American Amoy Asia Asian August authorities became Beijing Book British called camphor century Ch'ing Chiang China Chinese City coal coast colonial commander Company consul continued County culture customs December defense Development documents Dutch early East economic English established European families finally fleet forces foreign Formosa four French governor hand harbor History House Imperial important island issue Japan Japanese John Journal July June junks Kaohsiung Keelung Koxinga land late later Lukang mainland major March maritime merchants military million Ming missionaries named Nationalist native navy northern October officials percent Pescadores pirates political port President Press Publishing record Relations reported Research rice River rule sailed sent September serve ships Society Southeast southern Spanish Studies sugar T'ai-wan Taipei Taiwan Taiwanese Tamsui took trade treaty troops Tsai United University vessels Washington York