Early settlement from Mainland China started in the time of Sung dynasty around 1100 AD. Before then, Taiwan was existing in legends as a fairyland. Until the beginning of Sung, people along the east coastal areas started to emigrate to the Penhu (Pescadores Islands close to Taiwan) and the southern areas of Taiwan.
It was formally recorded in the archive that Taiwan became part of China's territory in Yuan dynasty, around 1400 AD. Yuan set up an office in Penhu, but had no direct control or influence on Taiwan yet. During this period, Taiwan still had not established a strong political and cultural relationship with Mainland China. Unlike the immigrants to North Amercia on Mayflower, most of immigrants from Mainland China were peasants or fishermen. Taiwan was not recognized as a permanent place for living. However, historical signs showed that there were some kinds of trade activities and tenancy ongoing between the immigrants from Mainland China and the aborigines.
The History of Taiwan
Photograph Institute of Taiwan History
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