On This Day in History: Koxinga Seizes Taiwan After a Brutal Siege (February 1, 1662)

On February 1, 1662, the Chinese military leader Zheng Chenggong - better known as Koxinga - forced the Dutch to surrender Fort Zeelandia, ending a nine‑month siege and bringing Taiwan under his control.

The victory marked the end of 38 years of Dutch colonial rule and reshaped the political landscape of East Asia.

A Clash Between Empire and Exile

Koxinga was a Ming loyalist at a time when the Qing dynasty had already taken control of mainland China. Refusing to submit, he gathered a powerful naval force and thousands of followers who saw him as one of the last defenders of the fallen Ming order.

Taiwan, then controlled by the Dutch East India Company, offered both a strategic base and a refuge. In April 1661, Koxinga launched a massive amphibious assault, landing tens of thousands of troops on the island.

The Long Siege of Fort Zeelandia

The Dutch retreated to Fort Zeelandia, their strongest fortress near modern‑day Tainan. What followed was a grueling siege:

- Koxinga's forces cut off supplies and surrounded the fort.

- Dutch defenders, though well‑armed, were heavily outnumbered.

- Disease, hunger, and dwindling ammunition weakened the garrison.

After months of bombardment and failed attempts at relief, Dutch commander Frederick Coyett agreed to surrender on February 1, 1662.

The Dutch were allowed safe passage out of Taiwan, ending their colonial presence on the island.

A New Kingdom on Taiwan

Following the victory, Koxinga established the Kingdom of Tungning, using Taiwan as a base to continue resistance against the Qing dynasty. Although he died only months later, his regime laid the foundation for Han Chinese settlement and agricultural development on the island.

The kingdom lasted until 1683, when the Qing finally conquered Taiwan.

Why This Moment Still Matters

Koxinga's seizure of Taiwan remains a defining event in the island's history. It:

- Ended European colonial rule in Taiwan for more than two centuries

- Accelerated large‑scale Chinese migration to the island

- Created a political legacy still referenced in modern debates about identity and sovereignty

In Taiwan, Koxinga is remembered as both a national hero and a complex figure - a symbol of resistance, migration, and cultural transformation.