Liu Ko-hsiang points out that by the 16th century the kingdom of the Ryukyus (Okinawa), located between China and Japan, had long been sending tribute to the Chinese imperial court. When you look at the navigational lines, the frequent tribute and diplomatic journeys between Fujian and Naha (capital of the Ryukyus) must have gone right past Taiwan's northern coast.
劉克襄認為，從當時的航線來看，十六世紀時，位於中國與日本之間的琉球早已向明朝入貢百餘年，常藉由從福州到琉球首府那霸的航線從事進貢等外交事宜，這條航線正好經過台灣北部海域。