# Koxinga

> 17th-century Chinese military leader and first King of Tungning

**Wikidata**: [Q197615](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q197615)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koxinga)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/koxinga

## Summary
Koxinga, born Zheng Chenggong, was a 17th-century Chinese military leader and the first King of Tungning. He is renowned for resisting the Qing dynasty's conquest of the Ming dynasty and establishing the Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan. His efforts preserved a Ming loyalist stronghold after the dynasty's collapse.

## Biography
- **Born**: August 28, 1624
- **Nationality**: Chinese
- **Known for**: Founding the Kingdom of Tungning and resisting Qing rule
- **Employer(s)**: Ming loyalist forces
- **Field(s)**: Military leadership, politics

## Contributions
- **Military Campaigns**: Led resistance against the Qing dynasty, capturing Taiwan from Dutch colonial rule in 1662.
- **Establishment of Tungning**: Founded the Kingdom of Tungning in 1661, serving as its first king until his death in 1662.
- **Preservation of Ming Loyalty**: Maintained a Ming loyalist regime in Taiwan after the dynasty's fall in 1644.

## FAQs
- **What was Koxinga's role in Chinese history?**  
  Koxinga was a Ming loyalist who fought against the Qing dynasty and established the Kingdom of Tungning, preserving a remnant of Ming rule in Taiwan.
- **What territories did Koxinga control?**  
  He controlled parts of southeastern China and later captured Taiwan, where he established his kingdom.
- **How did Koxinga's actions impact Taiwan?**  
  His capture of Taiwan from the Dutch in 1662 marked the beginning of Chinese governance on the island, influencing its subsequent history.
- **What was Koxinga's relationship with the Ming dynasty?**  
  He was a descendant of the Ming imperial family through his mother and dedicated his military efforts to restoring Ming rule.

## Why They Matter
Koxinga's resistance against the Qing dynasty and his establishment of the Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan ensured the survival of Ming loyalist governance. His capture of Taiwan from Dutch colonizers shifted regional power dynamics, integrating the island into the Chinese sphere of influence. Without Koxinga, the Qing's consolidation of power might have been swifter, and Taiwan's early modern history could have followed a different trajectory under European colonial rule.

## Notable For
- **Founding the Kingdom of Tungning**: Established in 1661 as a Ming loyalist state.
- **Capture of Taiwan**: Expelled Dutch colonizers in 1662, securing the island as a base for resistance.
- **Military Leadership**: Successfully led campaigns against Qing forces and European colonists.
- **Ming Loyalism**: Dedicated to restoring the Ming dynasty, symbolizing resistance against Qing rule.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Koxinga was born Zheng Chenggong on August 28, 1624, to Zheng Zhilong, a Ming admiral, and Taga, a Japanese woman from the Hirato clan. His mixed heritage and familial ties to the Ming dynasty shaped his loyalty to the Ming cause.

### Military Career and Resistance
Koxinga emerged as a prominent military leader during the transition from the Ming to the Qing dynasty. After the Ming collapse in 1644, he dedicated himself to resisting Qing rule, conducting campaigns in southeastern China. His forces fought against both Qing troops and European colonizers, notably the Dutch in Taiwan.

### Capture of Taiwan
In 1661, Koxinga launched a siege against the Dutch fortress of Fort Zeelandia in Taiwan. After a prolonged battle, the Dutch surrendered in 1662, marking the end of Dutch colonial rule and the establishment of the Kingdom of Tungning. This victory secured a strategic base for Ming loyalists and expanded Chinese influence in the region.

### Governance and Legacy
As the first king of Tungning, Koxinga sought to create a stable Ming loyalist regime. He implemented administrative systems and promoted trade, though his reign was cut short by his death in 1662. His legacy endures as a symbol of resistance against foreign rule and a pivotal figure in Taiwan's early history.

### Death and Succession
Koxinga died on June 23, 1662, at the age of 37, possibly due to illness or injury. He was succeeded by his son, Zheng Jing, who continued to rule Tungning until its eventual conquest by the Qing in 1683. Koxinga's descendants retained influence in the region, contributing to the island's cultural and political development.

### Historical Significance
Koxinga's actions delayed Qing consolidation of power and ensured the preservation of Ming loyalist governance. His establishment of Tungning provided a refuge for anti-Qing forces and influenced Taiwan's integration into the Chinese administrative framework. Today, he is remembered as a national hero in both China and Taiwan, celebrated for his military prowess and dedication to the Ming cause.

## References

1. China Biographical Database
2. The Rise of Modern China, Sixth Edition
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](http://global.britannica.com/biography/Zheng-Chenggong)
6. Integrated Authority File
7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
8. SNAC
9. Find a Grave
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Quora
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File