The formal settlement of Taiwan was recorded in the Ming dynasty around 1600 AD. In 1590, the Portuguese sailors discovered Taiwan and were amazed at its natural beauty and named it "Ilha, Formosa." In 1620, Dutch showed its economic interest in Taiwan and developed several colonial programs. Taiwan was therefore internationally recognized in this time period. Meanwhile, the mass migration from Mainland China to Taiwan changed the character of this island.
In 1662, Cheng Chen-kung, a Ming loyalist formed up his troops based in Taiwan with the hope to recover Ming dynasty from Ching, a new power controlling Mainland China in the late 17th. Although Cheng did not succeed in his recovering plan, he drove the Dutch out of Taiwan and finished the Dutch colonial era and control over Taiwan.
Soon the geographical and economic significance aroused the attention of Ching and other countries such as Phillipine and Japan. In 1885, Ching officially announced Taiwan as the 22nd province of China and appointed a governor Liu Ming-chuan. Liu began the modernization of Taiwan and built census archive of Taiwan's population for education and tax purpose. Taiwan thereafter established a strong relationship with Mainland China and was formally identified as a part of China territory.
Buffeted by Colonial Winds
A Brief History of Taiwan
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