Xiaodeng Island
Photos of the island in 2014 | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Fujian Province |
| Coordinates | 24°33′32″N 118°23′01″E / 24.5589°N 118.3837°E |
| Archipelago | Dadao Islands |
| Area | 0.9671 km2 (0.3734 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 5.8 km (3.6 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 28 m (92 ft) |
| Highest point | Saiyueo |
| Administration | |
| Community | Fujian Province Xiamen City Xiang'an District Dadeng Street Xiaodeng Community Resident Committee |
| County | R.O.C.Fujian Province Kinmen County |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 3,000 |
Xiaodeng Island, also known as Xiaodeng or Xiaodengbao in ancient times, is a bedrock island located in the southern part of Xiang'an, Xiamen Bay. It covers an area of approximately 0.9671 square kilometers and has an altitude of 28 meters. As of 2008, the population of the island was about 3,000 people. The island was originally located in Kinmen County, Fuchien Province, Republic of China (ROC). After being occupied by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), it was included in Dadeng Subdistrict, Xiang'an District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, People's Republic of China. There is currently a Xiaodeng Neighborhood Committee, which governs two natural villages, Qianbao and Houbao. However, the ROC considers this island to be a peripheral island of its Kinmen County, just as it considered itself in charge of the villages.: 391 The island has complete facilities, with a bridge leading to Dadeng Island and mainland China. However, due to the construction of Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport, the overall facilities on the island will be demolished and relocated.: 348
Xiaodeng Island is rich in seafood, with specialties such as Xiaodeng seaweed and Xiaodeng oysters. There are multiple tourist attractions on the island, and the tourism industry is thriving.: 354 Xiaodeng has a long history, starting with the Tang dynasty founded by Hong Dao, the founder of the Hong clan in Xiaodeng. Qiu Kui, a Neo-Confucianism scholar of the Song and Yuan dynasties, was born on the island and later lived there in seclusion; it is also said that the last emperor of the Song dynasty, Zhao Bing, lived on the island when he fled south. Xiaodeng Island also experienced the artillery battle of "August 23" during the shelling of Kinmen, and is known as the "Three Heroic Islands" together with Dadeng Island and Jiaoyu Island.