论东沙观象台的建设与运行

On Construction and Operation of Dongsha Observatory

清同治七年(1868年),海关总税务司曾计划在东沙岛建灯塔,后英国人通过各种方式多次提议东沙岛建灯塔之事,但清政府因主权问题拒绝其介入。迨至民国初年,在全国海岸巡防处筹设的情况下,东沙观象台得以建成并投入使用,成为中国沿海气象台自主建设的嚆矢。但因经费不足,东沙观象台、灯塔作用的发挥受到一定程度的影响,这既反映出当时中国政府对海洋经略投入的不足,又折射出其海洋意识的薄弱。

In the 7th year of Tongzhi （1868） , the Qing Dynasty, the Inspector General of Customs planned to build lighthouses in Dongsha Island. After that, some British attempted various ways and several times to propose the construction of lighthouses on the island; however, the Qing government did not want its sovereignty to be infringed and rejected foreign inter- vention. It was not until the early years of the Republic of China that the Dongsha Observatory was finally constructed and put into operation. It was set up by the National Coast Guard Office and became the harbinger of independent construction of Chi- na＇s coastal observatorries, but funds were insufficient, which restricted to some extent the functioning of the Dongsha Observ- atory and lighthouses. It reflects both the government＇s deficient investment in maritime management, and its weak awareness of maritime rights.