The ancient Chinese chronicles Hou Han Shu and San Go Zhi contain the first mentions of an island called Yizhou (the island of the barbarians).

Since the Sui period (years 581 through 618), Taiwan is more often called Lucyu (after the name of a small kingdom in the southwestern part of the island).

The island has been found under its modern name in written sources since 1599. Trade and navigation across the Taiwan Strait between mainland China and the island began long before the Chinese explored it.

The first Chinese military expedition to Taiwan was noticed in the year 230.

In 610, the 10,000-strong Chinese army made a new campaign against Taiwan and Penghuledao, after which links between China and these islands became more regular. Taiwan was officially incorporated into China (as part of the Fujian province) during the twelfth century. During the twelfth to fourteenth centuries, the Chinese tried to gain a foothold in Taiwan, partially mixing with the local population.

In 1360, due to the increasing military importance of the island, the Office of Oversight was founded on it, which was the first Chinese local governing body in Taiwan. During this period, the flow of immigration to the island from the provinces of Fujian and Guangdong increased. The process of the development by the Chinese accelerated, and agriculture and crafts developed. The indigenous tribes were then subsequently forced into the mountainous areas, and the Chinese settlers began to develop fertile coastal lands and coastal-water fishing.

Since the 16th century, the island has become attractive to many. First came the Japanese feudal lords and pirates, who made vain attempts to gain a foothold in Jilong, Kaohsiung, Hualien. These were all successfully repelled. In 1550, a Portuguese ship was sailing not far from Taiwan. The enchanted Portuguese seafarers immediately gave the island

ship was sailing not far from Taiwan. The enchanted Portuguese seafarers immediately gave the island a name – Formosa (Beautiful).

There is an assumption that the first European who saw the island was Dutchman Jan Huygen van Linschoten (1563 – 8 February 1611).

In 1592 being a navigator (and passing by an island with lush greenery and mountain peaks on a Portuguese sailing ship), he marked it in the logbook as "Formosa".

"Taiwan" has been in use since the early 17th century. In the early 17th century, the Dutch brought buffaloes to Taiwan. Thanks to this, the natives began to use draught cattle.

In 1622 the island came under the control of the Dutch from the East India Company. From 1626, Taiwan started to arouse burning interest in Spain, which intended to send its warships to the shores of the "wonderful" island. Moreover, Spain has managed to gain a foothold in northern Taiwan.

In 1626 Spain sent a fleet of warships from Manila to northern Taiwan and established a small colony named "Spanish Formosa". Fort San Salvador was established to counterbalance Dutch rule in southern Taiwan and protect Spain's interests in the shipping route between China's Fujian province and Manila in the Philippines.

However, in 1642, after several years of battles, the fort was handed over to the Dutch.

The unfolding struggle between Spain and Holland for the possession of the island ended in 1642 to satisfy the interests of the latter.

In September 1652, a major uprising of the local aboriginal population under the leadership of Guo Hua broke out against the Dutch colonialists. Inspired rebels tracked scattered groups of Dutchmen appearing in different parts of the island, fighting with them to the death.