TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Descendants of the last governor of Dutch Formosa on Saturday (April 27) visited the shrine for Koxinga (Cheng Cheng-kung, 鄭成功) and expressed their gratitude to the general for mercy after defeating Dutch forces 400 years ago.
As 2024 marks 400 years since the Dutch began colonial rule over Taiwan and founded Tainan in 1624, descendants of Frederick Coyett, the last Dutch governor-general of Formosa, went to Tainan on Saturday to trace their roots and show gratitude to Koxinga for sparing the governor's life, reported Liberty Times. They were the first descendants of Dutch colonialists to officially visit Tainan since this year's commemorations of the city's 400 years of history began.
A 15th-generation descendant of Coyett and his mother met with Koxinga descendant and Koxinga Shrine management board deputy secretary-general Cheng Chao-nan (鄭照男). The two parties greeted each other with a “historical handshake.”
The two expressed their gratitude for a warm welcome. They see Koxinga as a respectable and worthy adversary.
They acknowledged that it was Koxinga's magnanimity and generosity 400 years ago that have contributed to the prosperity of their family. They emphasized the importance of remembering and honoring their ancestors' legacy.
In 2006, Michael Coyet (spelling change), the 14th-generation descendant of Coyett, visited Taiwan with his wife for the first time. Visiting with their son this time, Coyet's wife said she could feel that the warmth of Tainan's hospitality was just as strong as her previous visit.
Hsu Shih-yu (許世煜), chairman of Cambridge Hotel hosting the descendants, said that after Frederick Coyett returned to the Netherlands, he published "Neglected Formosa" in 1675, condemning the negligence of the senior officials of the Dutch East India Company, which led him to abandon Taiwan. Coyett also told his children and grandchildren that after surrendering, Koxinga not only spared his life but also allowed his family to take their possessions with them.
Hsu said that during the Age of Discovery, it was the Dutch East India Company, not an official entity, that colonized Taiwan. Nowadays, Taiwan and the Netherlands maintain good relations, and both governments are reluctant to delve into the sensitive history of the colonial period, said Hsu.
However, Coyett's descendants believe it is necessary to follow the ancestral precepts and express gratitude to Cheng's family. In recent years, they have tried to fulfill their ancestor's wishes through private channels.
In 1624, the Dutch East India Company landed in Taiwan, and the Dutch invasion led to the establishment of Fort Zeelandia, also known as Anping Old Fort. This marked the beginning of Dutch colonization in Taiwan.
In 1662, Coyett, the last Dutch governor of Taiwan, who was of Swedish origin, led over a thousand Dutch soldiers. After enduring a siege by Ming loyalist forces for nine months, Coyett surrendered and ended Dutch rule over the island.
During a speech on Saturday, Coyett's 15th-generation descendant said his ancestor was a “very stubborn man” and did not want to suffer a defeat at the hands of Koxinga. He said he could imagine that the negotiations over the surrender must have been “quite difficult for the governor.”
He said that when meeting with Koxinga, his ancestor had to let go of his stubbornness and “show humility towards his opponent.” He said that this must have been a “very humbling moment,” but also meant he was allowed to leave safely.
The former governor's 14th-generation descendant, Michael Coyet, was unable to attend the event as his flight was delayed.
