Ming-Zheng Naval Fleet

Timeline

1. 1651Xiamen waters · FujianQing forces advanced by land and sea intending to destroy Zheng Chenggong's power. Relying on their familiarity with the strait's terrain and flexible junk tactics, the Ming-Zheng fleet repelled multiple Qing attacks, consolidated the Xiamen base, and entered a period of rapid expansion.
2. 1653–1658Coasts of Fujian and Guangdong · GuangdongDuring this period the Ming-Zheng fleet both conducted military operations and escorted Zheng merchant convoys to maintain maritime trade interests, forming a model that weighted military and commerce equally. The fleet levied transit dues on passing merchant ships, effectively controlling the sea lanes of the Taiwan Strait and the southeastern coast, and clashed repeatedly with the Dutch VOC over dominance of strait trade.
3. 1659Yangtze River mouth to Nanjing reach · JiangsuThe Ming-Zheng fleet carried the army upstream on the Yangtze with hundreds of warships, the deepest inland penetration by a Chinese private fleet on record. It captured Zhenjiang and menaced Nanjing, demonstrating strong power-projection capability, but ultimately withdrew after failing to take the city; some ships were intercepted by the Qing fleet during the retreat, suffering considerable losses.
4. 1661–1683Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters · Taiwan StraitAfter stationing in Taiwan, the Ming-Zheng fleet held the Taiwan Strait, continuously harassed the Qing coast, and maintained sea trade routes with Japan and Southeast Asia. In 1683 Shi Lang led Qing forces to a decisive battle at Penghu, where the fleet's main force was destroyed and Dongning fell with it.