From being the throat of northern Taiwanto being chicken rib― On the Rise and Decline ofthe Seaport of Keelung

• Main Authors: Hsu, Ruo-Chi, 徐若綺
• Other Authors: 秦照芬 博士
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/qtquj2

碩士 === 臺北市立大學 === 歷史與地理學系社會科教學碩士學位班 === 103 === Keelung used to be a dwelling place of aboriginal people, the Kaggilach of the Ketagalan tribe. Although some Han Chinese did go there to trade, most areas remained undeveloped until the Spaniards set foot on this land and broadened Keelung’s international perspective. However, as the period of Spanish rule was too short, and the colonizers only cared for their own interests, Keelung did not undergo any major transformation. As more and more time passed by after the Spanish regime ended, Keelung entered into a dark period that lasted for a long time. During the period, Chinese immigrants did come to build streets of some certain scale, but it could not be counted as development or progress. In addition, due to the remoteness and the isolated terrain of Keelung, although it did not sink into oblivion, it could not become famous either. With the increase of exchanges and wars between the Qing court and European powers, coastal defense grew greatly in importance, and Keelung, being a confined and well-positioned port city, started to shine. Because of its having conserves of coal and its vicinity to Taipei Prefecture, Keelung grew in importance, but it also became a coveted object among countries. After being involved in Opium War and the Sino-French War, Keelung further proved itself as the “lock and key to northern Taiwan,” and as the stilting up in Shanghai had become a foregone conclusion, part of the first railway in Taiwan was built in it. However, as the Manchu government and the people in Taiwan were so conservative and prefer to follow the beaten track, it was really difficult for any breakthrough to happen in the development of Keelung. The real turning point that reversed the fate of Keelung occurred during the Japanese occupation. Keelung’s vicinity to Taipei and its reserves of coal and railway led to its being chosen as the place to be transformed by Japanese rulers. The colonial government completed constructions that are comprehensive and with phased purposes in Keelung Port and the entire Keelung region, making it the number one big commercial port in Taiwan. Because of the wealth and hope that Keelung Port brought, a large number of people moved in and its status raised so much that it gradually became a city ranked one of the most famous in Taiwan. It remained prosperous even though it had to start all over again after being destroyed in World War II. Its status not shaken, it even moved towards modernization. In the sixties and the seventies, although Keelung was no longer the largest port city in Taiwan, its importance could still not be underestimated. Keelung had flourished for nearly a hundred years since Japanese occupation, and its most glorious period lasted for six decades. Who would have thought that there would be a time when the prosperity died away? Keelung has made no progress in development and construction since the nineties, giving other counties and cities opportunity to catch up. It is the main cause of Keelung's undergoing the tragic fate of being treated as a deserted soldier in a battlefield or chicken ribs on a plate, although it was such as well-known port city. First, Keelung is densely covered by hills and its hinterland is narrow. Second, Keelung Port has been suffering from poor operational performance. Third, the Harbor Dues had been canceled. Fourth, there has been an ongoing drain of local talents in Keelung. Because of its environment, Keelung's development started late. In addition, the opportunities given to it and its own conditions were the cause of its flourish. Moreover, its small hinterland, lack of talent and funding led to Keelung Port and City's limited development. Therefore, to change the spiritless, weak and degenerate current situation, there must be remedies for these key issues primarily.