But Amboina was not forgotten; the sore rankled and was one of the causes that moved Cromwell to war in 1654.
The activity of the Dutch in eastern waters was, however, by no means confined to Java, their seat of government, or to the Moluccas and Banda islands with their precious spices.

Many trading posts were erected on the large islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

Trading relations were opened with Siam from 1613 onwards.

In 1623 a force under Willem Bontekoe was sent by Koen to Formosa.

The island was conquered and a governor appointed with his residence at Fort Zelandia.