Xia Xianlun was a Hunanese official who served as Taiwan circuit intendant during the Tongzhi and early Guangxu periods and became an early advocate for systematic development of eastern Taiwan. He personally surveyed eastern Taiwan's terrain and resources, recognized the region's agricultural and strategic potential, and submitted repeated memorials urging active colonization of the east coast, strengthened coastal defenses, and construction of north-south mountain trails. His recommendations directly influenced the Qing court's subsequent 'Open the Mountains' policy accelerated by the 1874 Mudan Incident. Though his tenure was brief, Xia's surveys and memorials were foundational in shifting Qing strategic thinking toward eastern Taiwan at a critical moment before Japanese encroachment made the question urgent.

• Surveyed eastern Taiwan and memorialized court to develop the 'back mountain'

• Advocacy shaped Qing eastern Taiwan policy, laying groundwork for opening the mountains