Kinmen, The Chinese Cold War frontline
Kinmen, a small island of which size is about 150 km2, is closer to Communist China than Taiwan. The island was the front line between the Chinese Nationalist Party which is known as Kuomintang (KMT) led by Chiang Kai-shek and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) led by Mao Tse-tung. Interestingly, Kinmen and Xiamen (Island of the People's Republic of China) are only 2 km apart. For 50 years Kinmen residents have lived with armed forces (up to 500,000 men for crisis situations) stationed to resist invasion by the communist forces. The island was under military control until 1992 while Taiwan had already been under the martial law. The Battle of Guningtou which lasted 3 days (25th~27th October, 1949) has been a fail mark of the communists who intended to destroy the Chinese nationalism and regain their control over Taiwan by defeating KMT’s army. Henceforth, Kimmen became one of the front line islands between two enemies. During the second "Strait crisis" in 1958, more than 470,000 shells were fired by the communists towards Kinmen islands.
Since the island was opened to the non-resident visitors in 2001, tourists started to Kinmen and its archipelago especially Chinese who are attracted to this access. For them, Kimmen is a foreign country near at hand and where they can purchase luxury products easily in its shopping malls. However, since Ms Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) which is pro-independence won the presidential election in early 2016, the Communist President Xi Jinping has decided to limit the number of visitors to come to Taiwan. Kinmen remains the "symbols" of the Kuomintang as it is not Taiwan but a territory of the Republic of China with its omnipresent propaganda.
Mashan Observation Station on Kinmen, a Chinese vessel attends construction work on the sea water.
Taiwanese military demonstrates M115 203 mm howitzer for tourists at Shishan (Mt. Lion) M115 203 mm howitzer.
Everrich Mall is empty and not a lot of Chineses tourits come here. Since Ms Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) who is a pro-independence won the presidential election in early 2016, the communist China president Xi Jinping decided to limit the number of visitors to come to Taiwan.
The proof of the front line of the cold war between communist China and nationalist China. A row of rusted spikes keeps the access of the Guningthou beach (famous from the battle in 1949).
Young people play with their smarphones and talk together on a beach in Kinmen island. At night, skycrapers's light from Chinese city Xiamen illuminates the background.
A long tunnel gives access to Mashan military observation station in Kinmen.
An old sign indicates that the area is dangerous because of land mines. Kinmen was officially declared free of landmines on 2013.
A man waits for his plane at Kinmen airport. Tourists are allowed to come on the island since 2001. Tourism is important for the local economy.
A roundabout with a giant shell (Monument of the victory in 823 bombardment, second Taiwan strait crisis) in Leiyu also know as "Little Kinmen". Little Kinmen is just 2 km away from Chinese's Xiamen.
A tourist guide holding a flag waits for a group of tourist from China in front of the tourist center of Suito port in Kinmen.
Lanterns are displayed on a temple wall in Kinmen.
A Jincheng resident works inside an old fashion barber shop.
Half buried old tank reveals during low tide on Ou Cuo beach in Kinmen. During the martial law period which was also known as "White Terror", the regulations on the island became more strict: no radio, no camera without permission.
Two teenager tourists look China in to the distance via a telescope at Shishan (Mt. Lion) Howitzer Front.
Deserted broadcasting wall (facing to Chinese island called Xiamen) which was used to anti-China propaganda at Beishan Broadcast Station in Kinmen.
A Jincheng resident watches TV show inside an old fashion barber shop.
Shell holes, which are the proofs of past heavy shell bombing and fights. They still can be seen everywhere in little Kinmen.
A group of tourists take a selfie in front of the statue of Guningtou Battle Museum. Guningtou Battle lasted three days and was the greatest victory of Nationalist Chinese from KMT against Communist Chinese.
A row of rusted spikes keeping the access of the Guningthou beach (famous from the battle in 1949) can be seen from a military observation station.
A Taiwanese soldier replica statue in shooting position is aiming Xiamen island of China where is only 2km away from Lieyu island where is also known as "little Kinmen".
A statue of the generalissimo and president Chiang Kai-shek in the center of a roundabout in Jinhu town. Kuomintang has built a sort of cult and defied the iconic leaders.
The logo of Shishan (Mt. Lion) Howitzer Front is painted on the entrance wall.
Glasses are cemented all over the rocks in order to give potential invader difficult time to safely land.
Generalissimo and President Chiang Kai-shek (R) and General Hu Lien (L) are on s painting inside the Gunintou Battle Museum. On the side of the painting there are some propaganda words: "The honor of the country is more important than anything. As for live or death we should abandon it without regret.
Kinmen residents hang lanterns and incense outside their houses during "ghost month", the seventh month in the lunar calendar, in which ghosts and spirits, including those of the deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm understand their way to go home.
A wall relief beside the entrance of Guningtou Battle Museum, for the glory of the Nationalist Chinese soldier who won the Communist Chinese on Guningtou beach.