A massive 1633 naval battle saw Ming China crush a European colonial fleet
Long before the Opium Wars, a massive naval clash in the Taiwan Strait saw the Ming Dynasty deploy fire ships to crush the superior technology of the Dutch East India Company.
In 1633, the Battle of Liaoluo Bay marked the largest naval encounter between Chinese and European forces until the 19th century. Seeking to monopolize trade routes, the Dutch East India Company allied with local pirates to challenge the Ming Dynasty's maritime authority.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 3-question quiz