Qing Annexation of Taiwan

Timeline

1. 1683Taiwan Prefecture capital · TainanAfter the fall of Penghu, Liu Guoxuan and powerful minister Feng Xifan urged Zheng Keshuang to submit; Zheng sent a surrender memorial and handed over the seal of the Prince of Yanping. Shi Lang led forces to Taiwan to accept the surrender, pacifying Ming Zheng troops and civilians, ending Ming Zheng rule on the island. Zheng Jing had died in 1681, and the young heir could no longer organize resistance.
2. 1683–1684Beijing · BeijingSome court officials advocated evacuating the population and abandoning the land to avoid the cost of garrisoning distant seas. Shi Lang submitted a memorial arguing Taiwan was a bulwark for the southeastern provinces and that abandoning it would let pirates and foreigners occupy it. Kangxi ordered Fujian officials to reconsider, and retention with officials was adopted, clearly diverging from the 1661 coastal evacuation strategy.
3. 1684Taiwan Prefecture capital · TainanThe Qing court approved establishing Taiwan Prefecture under Fujian Province, administering Taiwan, Fengshan, and Zhuluo counties with Penghu attached to Taiwan County, and created a circuit intendant for Taiwan-Xiamen. The prefectural offices reused Ming Zheng buildings. Taiwan transformed from a Ming Zheng maritime regime into Qing commanderies and counties, completing unification administratively.