The capture of Zhoushan Island by Qing forces was a crucial military operation during the years of conflict following the fall of the Ming Dynasty. Zhoushan was strategically located off the coast of China and served as a vital base for naval operations. The Southern Ming, represented by Zhu Yihai, the Prince of Lu, aimed to maintain a foothold in the region despite the Qing Dynasty's expanding power. As the Qing consolidated their strength and sought to eradicate any remaining Ming loyalist opposition, the occupation of Zhoushan played a significant role in this broader conflict.

Zhu Yihai, acting as the regent and a symbol of Ming resistance, was forced to abandon the island when it became clear that Qing forces were overpowering the defenders. His flight to Kinmen underscored the dire situation faced by Ming loyalists, who were increasingly pressed into retreat as Qing military tactics advanced. This loss not only affected the military landscape but also diminished morale among Ming supporters. Zhu’s decision to escape demonstrated both the precariousness of the Ming cause and the determination of the Qing to assert dominance in southern waters.

The fall of Zhoushan also facilitated further Qing naval operations and conquests in the region, which eventually led to more substantial territorial acquisitions and a fortified position against any remnants of the Ming regime. Throughout the subsequent years, the struggle for dominance between the Qing and the remaining Ming loyalists would continue, with battles often revolving around key geographic locations like Zhoushan.