They were the first of many organized criminals who exploited the stateless international status of the island, a recurrent theme in Taiwan history. Photo: Wang Shu-hsiu, Taipei Times“From bases on Taiwan, Lin’s fleets sallied forth with the monsoons each year to plunder shipping across the entire South China Sea,” Antony writes. Tsai Chien (蔡牽), a pirate based in southern Fujian, gradually began to dominate the seas between the China coast and Taiwan between 1800 and 1804. In 1805 and 1806 he attacked Taiwan, intending to take over the island and use it as a base. For pirates, Taiwan was not just a base, but also a market.

Source: Taipei Times February 04, 2026 17:14 UTC