As Xi Jinping ordered missiles to be fired over Taiwan, some residents on these tiny Kinmen islands feared a return to the past
2 years, 7 months ago

As Xi Jinping ordered missiles to be fired over Taiwan, some residents on these tiny Kinmen islands feared a return to the past

ABC  

As China's leader Xi Jinping ordered missiles to be fired over Taiwan this month, his military was also making a statement, albeit a far less dangerous one, off China's east coast. Kinmen's memories of a previous Chinese bombardment Local Kinmen resident Cai Tianding, a convenor of a military history enthusiast group, said his parents lived through a time when Kinmen was a hotly contested frontline. "If there is a war, most people here think the Chinese government will attack Taipei first instead of going through Kinmen like in the past," local member Jessica Yu-jen Chen said. The strategy behind Kinmen islands' push for closer economic ties The close proximity to China means despite the presence of up to 4,000 troops, few believe Taiwan's military could defend the islands if Beijing tried to take them. As residents on Kinmen Islands went about their everyday life, Xi Jinping ordered missiles to be fired over Taiwan.

China Taiwan Chinese Beijing Residents Island Islands Mitchell Xiamen Taipei Taiwanese Abc Xi Jinping Some Residents Communists Kinmen Kinmen Islands Mitchell Woolnough  abc  tiny  chinese  island  return  missiles  jinping  xi  kinmen  taiwan  mitchell  ordered  residents  china  past  xiamen  islands

History of this topic

'Kinmen model' can be expanded to Taiwan Strait
10 months ago

'Kinmen model' can be expanded to Taiwan Strait

China Daily  

The Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei. The frequency of China Coast Guard law enforcement patrols in the waters near Kinmen Island has increased markedly this month. Whether they are Taiwan's merchant ships, civilian ships, or Taiwan's "military supply ships" sailing from Kinmen to other nearby islets, they will be included in the scope of law enforcement inspections carried out by …

Taiwan island haunted by memories of China war prepares for key vote
1 year, 2 months ago

Taiwan island haunted by memories of China war prepares for key vote

The Hindu  

Spikes jut from the beaches of Taiwan’s Kinmen island, military checkpoints serve as traffic roundabouts and bunkers double up as tourist cafes — reminders everywhere of the conflict decades earlier with Chinese communist forces. China has long claimed Taiwan as part of its territory, with President Xi Jinping — who has never ruled out the use of force to bring …

In the Taiwan Strait, tensions leave Kinmen with piles of garbage
1 year, 5 months ago

In the Taiwan Strait, tensions leave Kinmen with piles of garbage

Al Jazeera  

Tensions in the Taiwan Strait continue with increased military drills, with the Kinmen Islands trapped in the middle. The archipelago of Kinmen in the Strait of Taiwan is small, barely visible on a map. But Kinmen has long been dealing with the consequences of Beijing and Taipei’s conflict, including recent military activity. In this episode: Frederik Kelter, Journalist based in …

In Taiwan’s Kinmen, people hope for calm amid China tensions
2 years, 7 months ago

In Taiwan’s Kinmen, people hope for calm amid China tensions

Al Jazeera  

On the heavily-fortified outlying islands, mainland China is less than five kilometres away and memories of bombardment strong. “If the Chinese attack Taiwan, the first assault will come here.” The drums of war A Chinese assault on Kinmen is not a theoretical scenario. He laments the state of affairs between China and Taiwan and fears trouble ahead: “The relationship has …

Aussie fears China could take over Taiwanese island
4 years, 3 months ago

Aussie fears China could take over Taiwanese island

Daily Mail  

Aidan Ellis-Patterson, 34, moved to Kinmen Island three years ago An Australian living on a Taiwanese island just 3km from China has warned the communist government could easily invade as Beijing flexes its muscles on the world stage. The small island, which has 140,000 residents, is controlled by Taiwan after it was occupied by Nationalist forces who fled China following …

6 Km From China, Taiwan’s Kinmen Charts Its Own Path
6 years, 6 months ago

6 Km From China, Taiwan’s Kinmen Charts Its Own Path

The Diplomat  

As Taiwan pushes to distance itself from China, Kinmen Island wants to build a bridge to Xiamen and “become a peninsula.” A bridge is under construction between Kinmen and its outlying island, but plans for a bridge to Xiamen, seen in the background, are a non-starter for Taiwan’s central government. “In my political career,” boasted Kinmen Deputy Magistrate Wu Cheng-dian, …

Taiwan marks 60th anniversary of deadly Chinese artillery attack; President Tsai Ing-wen vows not to bow down to Beijing
6 years, 6 months ago

Taiwan marks 60th anniversary of deadly Chinese artillery attack; President Tsai Ing-wen vows not to bow down to Beijing

Firstpost  

Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen vowed to not bow down to Beijing as the country marked the 60th anniversary of the deadly Chinese artillery attack Kinmen: Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen called for unity and vowed not to bow to pressure from Beijing on Thursday as the island marked the 60th anniversary of a deadly Chinese artillery attack. The anniversary of the …

Discover Related