Introduction to Dongsha (Pratas) Island
Introduction to Dongsha (Pratas) Island
Chin-Long Lin
Dept. of Marine Environmental Informatics National Taiwan Ocean University. Keelung Taiwan
Planning Department Coastguard Administration Taipei Taiwan R.O.C.
Abstract
Dongsha Island is at the western side of Dongsha atoll (also named Pratas Islands). The shape of Dongsha atoll is like a full moon, therefore it is also called the Moon Island. It is located in a strategically important position along the major sea route connecting the Pacific and the Indian Oceans. Dongsha Island is the biggest island in the South China Sea and is one of the earliest islands to be developed. The coral atoll features a rich marine life and has been designated as a national park by the Taiwan’s government because of its unique geographical and ecological features. park by Republic of China (R.O.C.)
1. A Brief History
Dongsha history can be traced back to Jin Dynasty’s Guangzhou Ji by Pei Yuan 裴淵《廣州記》over a thousand years ago: “The Shanhujhou (Coral Sandbar) is 500 li south of the county (Dongguan, Guangdong). People catch fish and harvest coral from the seas there”. Here “Shanhujhou” refers to Dongsha Island and its surrounding reef. According to Ching Dynasty fisherman Liang Sheng, by the 1860’s (Tungchih era of the Ching Dynasty) large numbers of fishermen from Guangdong and Hainan were sailing to the area to catch fish, harvest kelp and catch sea turtles. Factories built from wood were also built on Dongsha Island to process the catch such as salting or drying fish and kelp. Dongsha Island’s small size and isolation however meant there were no long-term inhabitants. It was instead served as a stopover during fishing trips.
Despite their long association and involvement in the South China Sea since ancient times, the Chinese people paid little official attention to the issue of sovereignty. It was not until vice-admiral Wu Sheng between 1710~1712 and admiral Li Chun in 1907 each
Chin-Long Lin
Dept. of Marine Environmental Informatics National Taiwan Ocean University. Keelung Taiwan
Planning Department Coastguard Administration Taipei Taiwan R.O.C.
Abstract
Dongsha Island is at the western side of Dongsha atoll (also named Pratas Islands). The shape of Dongsha atoll is like a full moon, therefore it is also called the Moon Island. It is located in a strategically important position along the major sea route connecting the Pacific and the Indian Oceans. Dongsha Island is the biggest island in the South China Sea and is one of the earliest islands to be developed. The coral atoll features a rich marine life and has been designated as a national park by the Taiwan’s government because of its unique geographical and ecological features. park by Republic of China (R.O.C.)
1. A Brief History
Dongsha history can be traced back to Jin Dynasty’s Guangzhou Ji by Pei Yuan 裴淵《廣州記》over a thousand years ago: “The Shanhujhou (Coral Sandbar) is 500 li south of the county (Dongguan, Guangdong). People catch fish and harvest coral from the seas there”. Here “Shanhujhou” refers to Dongsha Island and its surrounding reef. According to Ching Dynasty fisherman Liang Sheng, by the 1860’s (Tungchih era of the Ching Dynasty) large numbers of fishermen from Guangdong and Hainan were sailing to the area to catch fish, harvest kelp and catch sea turtles. Factories built from wood were also built on Dongsha Island to process the catch such as salting or drying fish and kelp. Dongsha Island’s small size and isolation however meant there were no long-term inhabitants. It was instead served as a stopover during fishing trips.
Despite their long association and involvement in the South China Sea since ancient times, the Chinese people paid little official attention to the issue of sovereignty. It was not until vice-admiral Wu Sheng between 1710~1712 and admiral Li Chun in 1907 each