0072 - 320th Anniversary Of Zheng Chenggong's Recovery Of Taiwan. February ...Front

320th Anniversary Of Zheng Chenggong's Recovery Of Taiwan. February 1, 1982, marks the 320th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan by Zheng Chenggong, a national hero during the late years of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the early period of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Zheng Chenggong (1624-1662, known in western literature as Koxinga from the name Guo Hsingya by which he was known in Fujian Province) was a native of Shijing Village, Hanan County, Fujian Province. He was a general under the Ming Dynasty. When the Manchus occupied north China, he held out against them in Xiamen and Jinmen (Amoy and Quemoy). In 1661, he crossed the strait from Xiamen with his troops and landed on the western coast of Taiwan. After a fierce fighting of over eight months, his troops, supported by the local people, defeated the Dutch colonialists. The Dutch viceroy surrendered on February 1, 1662. Hence Taiwan which was occupied by the Dutch invaders in 1624 (the 4th year of the reign of Emperor Tianqi of the Ming Dynasty) returned to the motherland. After recovering Taiwan, Zheng Chenggong set up prefectural and county administrations and promoted agriculture. His measures brought about the social and economic development of Taiwan. In the past 300 years and more, the Chinese people, including the Taiwan compatriots, have been cherishing a deep memory of this national hero with high respect.