Dutch settlers landed in Formosa in 1624 and built Fort Zeelandia (Fort Anping today) in Dayuan (Anping district of Tainan City today) for governance.
Following the surrender of Jheng Jhi-long in September of the 1st year of Emperor Chungjhen (1628), the power of the Jhengs vanished; Dutch settlers taking advantage of the occasion entered Wanggang, which became part of the Dutch domain. Realizing the strategic significance of this base, the Dutch settlers decided to build a stronghold as administrative headquarters.
In October 1636 Fort Vlissingen (called Cingfongcue Battery during the Cing rule, near Huweiliao of Haomei Borough, Budai Town today) was completed and over 20 soldiers were stationed there for control of the coastline of the northern region.
The fort fell tumbling down in August 1644, and the Dutch government decided to built a brick wachthuis as soon as possible, which was again christened Vlissingen. Yet a fort constructed on the tombolo of the seashore is exposed to natural calamities. (The fact that in 1661 only 12 days after arriving in Taiwan Koxinga came to inspect this fort says much about its importance. The fort, however, had completely ruined!)
Koxinga also stationed his men in Bengang (Ponckan, Ponkan) Stream. In November 1641 the Dutch troop landed at the entry of Bengang Stream and established a defense platoon on sampans. It left 20 soldiers and 150 Chinese with food and weapons to guard the boats – which was supposed to be a temporary assignment.
In December 1644 there had been reports on 3 of the soldiers stationed at Bengang. June 18, 1648 diary: A sergeant with 10 soldiers was stationed at Bengang because it was said that people were smuggling rice out. The soldiers were there to stop them. This was supposed to be a long-term stationing.
Development of modern-day region of Chiayi County began after 1630. In addition to the aboriginal settlements, Fort Vlissingen served as the highest administrative center. Standing for sovereignty, it was there also to fend off the pirates and serve as the transit station for transporting troops to suppress insurgence of Han and aboriginal people.