Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2012
Abstract
Taiwan's geographical position as a remote island in the Pacific Ocean determinate its historical development. This distant territory was outside an interest even of its neighbours for centuries until a European power, Great Britain realized Taiwan's strategic significance in the nineteen century.
Until the Opium Wars, European countries were unsuccessfully trying to open Chinese borders to an international market and to their influence. Chinese Empire was a mysterious land with unknown opportunities.
Among other important cities, Taiwanese ports were one of few chosen territories which Great Britain strongly required to open after its victory in Opium Wars.