Shi Lang

Shi Lang (1621–1696) was a Chinese naval commander who served the Qing dynasty and led its 1683 campaign to conquer Taiwan.

Koxinga: Zheng Chenggong, known in Europe as Koxinga, was a Ming loyalist who established Zheng rule in Taiwan. Shi Lang defected from Koxinga’s forces to the Qing, later defeating the Zheng regime his former commander founded.
Battle of Penghu: The 1683 naval battle in the Penghu Islands ended in a Qing victory over Zheng forces. Shi Lang’s victory there broke the main military barrier to invading Taiwan.
Taiwan under Qing rule: Taiwan under Qing rule describes the island’s administration as part of the Qing Empire from 1683 to 1895. Shi Lang’s victory initiated the Qing period of rule over Taiwan.
Ming loyalism: Ming loyalism was allegiance to the Ming dynasty after its fall to the Qing in 1644. Shi Lang’s shifts between Zheng and Qing service complicate simple accounts of loyalty.
Zheng Jing: Zheng Jing was Koxinga’s son and successor, who governed the Zheng regime in Taiwan until 1681. His rule faced Shi Lang’s Qing invasion, which ended Zheng control of Taiwan.
Qing conquest of Taiwan: The Qing conquest of Taiwan was the 1683 campaign that ended Zheng rule and brought the island under Qing authority. It was the campaign Shi Lang commanded and the defining military outcome of his career.
Kingdom of Tungning: The Kingdom of Tungning was the Zheng family’s state in Taiwan from 1661 until its surrender to the Qing in 1683. Its fall was the direct political consequence of the campaign Shi Lang led.
Taiwan status dispute: The Taiwan status dispute concerns the island’s sovereignty and its relationship to the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China. Later political claims give competing meanings to the 1683 incorporation Shi Lang helped secure.
Kangxi Emperor: The Kangxi Emperor ruled the Qing dynasty from 1661 to 1722 and oversaw its consolidation and expansion. He authorized Shi Lang’s expedition and incorporated Taiwan into Qing rule.
Minnan: Minnan is the coastal region of southeastern China centered on southern Fujian and associated with a distinctive language and maritime culture. Shi Lang’s forces and the Zheng regime emerged from the same Fujian maritime environment.

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Zheng ChenggongRelated: His defection transferred valuable knowledge of Zheng’s forces to the Qing.