Changes of Geopolitical Landscape of Fujian Coastal Cities in Ming and Qing Dynasties under the Comparison between Chouhaitubian and Fujianhaianquantu

Abstract

The change of geopolitical landscape in Fujian is a vital topic for understanding the ideas of coastal urban planning in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The study compares two ancient maps, Chouhaitubian (an illustrated book on coastal defence) in the late Ming Dynasty and Fujianhaianquantu (a coastal map of Fujian) in the early Qing Dynasty. It combines them with ArcGIS software for visual analysis to obtain the status of geopolitical landscape changes in the coastal cities of Fujian during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The comparison of the two maps reveals that: Finding 1. The Wei-Suo system of the Qing Dynasty tended to be demilitarised and gradually disintegrated, and a new defence system based on the Folk Fortress was formed. Finding 2. Under the influence of the Seafaring Prohibition Policy, the coastal defence system was moved inward along the ancient postal route. Finding 3. Due to Zheng’s rule of Xiamen and Jinmen, new port clusters were formed in the coastal areas of southern Fujian. Changes in the geopolitical landscape of the Ming and Qing Dynasties were closely related to the above events and policy changes, resulting in changes in the economic and trade patterns of Fujian.