Four islets south of outlying Penghu County are set to be officially inaugurated as Taiwan’s ninth national park this year, according to the Construction and Planning Agency under the ROC Ministry of the Interior May 26.
The new national park encompasses Dongji, Dongyuping, Xiji and Xiyuping islets, as well as their surrounding waters. Located in the middle of the Taiwan Strait, the park’s boundaries will overlap with Taijiang National Park.
Once the Construction and Planning Agency completes a conservation scheme for the new national park, it is expected the region will become a paradise for bird watchers and scuba divers.
Consisting mainly of ocean basalts, the four islets boast a rich array of geological features. These include basalt columns, littoral caves, sea cliffs and wave-cut platforms.
At the crossroads of the China Coastal and Kuroshio currents, as well as the Monsoon Surface Drift of the South China Sea, the islets are surrounded by waters rich in algae, benthos and coral. They also provide a rich hunting ground for such migratory birds as black-naped, bridled and greater crested terns.
Over the years, the region has seen great seafaring activity between Taiwan and mainland China. The cultural landscape of the county reflects this activity, as well as the influences of Chinese, Japanese and Western settlers and visitors.
