The island during the Ching Dynasty
Before Shy-Lung endeavored and
successfully changed the Ching Emperor, Kun-Hsi, his view on Taiwan, the Emperor
thought of Taiwan as a very small and insignificant island; whether it is
Ching's territory or not, it does not matter at all. On the other hand, Ching
officers also limited people to come to Taiwan. Hence
it became extremely difficult for mainlanders to smuggle to the island; they
not only had to face dangers in the sea, but also chasings by the officers
on the island. The indigenous people's lifestyle was also challenged;
during the time, they were facing attacks and oppressions from the immigrants
as well as the Ching government officers. The latter thought of the natives
as barbarous, uncivilized and dangerous people; "Unless the indigenous
people are wiped out from the face of the island, Taiwan will not be a safe
place to live," said a local officer. As a result, the natives were forced
to move to the hills, the mountains, higher and higher; thus they have also
been known as "the mountain people".
Taiwan Tati Cultural & Educational Foundation
