清末初勘西沙之中外文献考释

An Interpretation of Initial Exploration to Xisha in the Late Qing Dynasty According to Chinese and Foreign Literature

据中外文献的记载,因他国之人不断进行非法勘测西沙群岛,尤其是担心日本人强占东沙岛之事再度发生,两广总督于1909年4月派舰初勘西沙群岛。该过程虽历时短暂,但大致明晰了群岛的地理分布及开发价值,这为后来再勘及筹划岛务开办奠定了基础。查勘人员还对岛上渔民进行调查,并勘得西沙各主要岛屿之上有珊瑚小庙,这是中国拥有群岛主权的有力证据。查勘行为并不涉及与他国之争议,是中国政府维护主权的自觉行为,而通过外文文献记述的某些初勘场景更能深刻理解其中的涵义。

According to records in Chinese and foreign literature, due to the illegal survey of the Xisha Islands by people from other countries, especially the fear that the Japanese would occupy Dongsha Island again, Viceroy of Liangguang dispatched ships to explore the Xisha Islands for the first time in April 1909. Although the process lasted for a short time, it generally clarified the geographical distribution and development value of the islands, which laid the foundation for later re-exploration and planning for the establishment of the island. Surveyors also investigated the island’s fishermen and discovered the small coral temples on the main islands of Xisha. This is a strong evidence that China has sovereignty over the archipelago. Survey behavior did not involve disputes with other countries, but was a conscious act of the Chinese Government to safeguard sovereignty. Some Initial exploration scenes described in foreign literature can help us understand the meaning of the scenes more deeply.