Page 89 - An Overview of Penghu

XVI Some thoughts after inspecting Wangan Island of Penghu Prefecture

Thirty-seven years have gone by since Taiwan came under the rule of Japan.
Our great political success here has amazed people at home and abroad. Back in
ancient times, the Nation of Takasago (Taiwan) has been glorified as a paradise the
gods inhabit. Thanks to its beautiful scenery and the development and revolution
carried out by people over the past three decades, Taiwan is shining with prosperity.

The land that used to be occupied by the indigenous people is now paved with
roads, built with bridges, houses, and lights. Railways are extended, while roads are
open for cars. Telephones are installed in every single police station high up in the
mountains. These infrastructures help to close the gap between mountainous and
lowland areas. Songs and poems praising Taiwan have also been constantly
produced. While one sings about Taiwan being an island “with abundant resources,
wealth, prosperity, as well as plants that emit fragrance and present hues of vibrant
green in summer,” another eulogizes “Taiwan as an island full of happiness that is
easy to live in” and talks about “harvesting rice twice a year” there. How desirable
it is!

Unfortunately, the description above does not include the Penghu Archipelago.
If you look at the environment on the islands, you will lament the lack of natural
resources. If you turn to its infrastructures, you will bemoan their inadequate
attention. Among the 63 islands of the Archipelago, 43 are desert islands. Penghu's
population of 62,000 is concentrated on 20 islands of 8.23 Japanese square miles.
The population density is about 7,550 strong per Japanese square mile, which is
much higher than that of most districts in Japan and only trails behind Tokyo and
Osaka. However, the prefecture is constantly suffering from food shortage as it can
only produce crops for half a year, a dilemma created by Penghu's lack of high
grounds. The highest point of the Archipelago is 240 ft above ground on Mao Isle,
and the average height does not exceed 50 or 60 ft. With no mountains warding off
the ferocious and salty seasonal wind between September and March of the next
year, plants wither, and farmlands are scraped away and disperse, forcing
agricultural activities to a halt for a whole season.

During winter, some protect trees on roadsides (Photos 126, 127, 128, and 129)
with cover. Others build stone walls to protect trees in the countryside. Although
some trees guarded by buildings do grow large enough to serve as windbreaks, the
parts that are not fully covered by buildings wither under the wind. Even wind-
resistant Chinese banyans cannot grow straight up and tare forced to extend
horizontally. Fortunately, people are growing more trees on Penghu Island and other
isles thanks to the prefectural government's reforestation project. Not only does the
government grow protective forests and build windbreaks, but it also sets up “tree-
loving cooperatives” and other measures to encourage people to grow and take care
of trees. In the past, vegetables in winter were pricier than fish because they were
imported from Kaohsiung; now people can grow some vegetables themselves in
winter, approaching something close to what we call “self-sufficient.” Nonetheless,
food supplies are still a half year short, and drinking water is inadequate as usual.
Paddies are nowhere to be seen in the prefecture, either.

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