Kinmen Island

Kinmen Island, also known as Quemoy, is a group of islands administered by the Republic of China (Taiwan) but situated just off the southeastern coast of mainland Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China (PRC). Despite its small geographical size, Kinmen holds major historical, military, and geopolitical significance due to its strategic position in the Taiwan Strait and its symbolic role in cross-strait relations between China and Taiwan.

Geographic and Administrative Overview

Kinmen lies approximately 10 kilometres east of Xiamen, a major port city on the Chinese mainland, and about 187 kilometres west of Taiwan Island. The archipelago comprises Greater Kinmen (Jinmen), Lesser Kinmen (Lieyu), and several smaller islets, including Dadan, Erdan, and Shiyu. The islands collectively form Kinmen County, administered as part of Fujian Province under the Republic of China (ROC).
The main urban area, Jincheng Township, serves as the administrative and economic centre. The total land area of Kinmen County is approximately 150 square kilometres, with a population of around 140,000 residents. The islands are known for their granite terrain, sandy beaches, and military fortifications, as well as for their distinct cultural blend of Fujianese traditions and Taiwanese governance.

Historical Background

Kinmen’s recorded history extends over a millennium, having been inhabited since the Tang and Song dynasties. It became part of the Ming dynasty’s coastal defence system in the 14th century, protecting against piracy and maritime invasions. The island was fortified with military structures such as Zhaishan Tunnel and Juguang Tower, which remain as historic landmarks.
During the Qing dynasty, Kinmen maintained close cultural and economic ties with Xiamen and the rest of Fujian. Its name, “Jinmen,” meaning Golden Gate, reflected its role as a defensive gateway to the mainland’s southeastern coast.
Following the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) and the subsequent decline of the Qing Empire, Kinmen experienced gradual modernisation and exposure to external influences through trade and migration.

Kinmen during the Chinese Civil War

The island’s strategic importance rose sharply after 1949, when the Chinese Civil War ended with the Communist victory on the mainland and the retreat of the Nationalist (Kuomintang, KMT) government to Taiwan. The ROC maintained control of Kinmen and the nearby Matsu Islands, even as the PRC established dominance over Fujian Province.
From 1949 onwards, Kinmen became the frontline of the Cold War in East Asia, symbolising the confrontation between the two Chinas. The island was subjected to repeated military assaults and artillery bombardments by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) during the First Taiwan Strait Crisis (1954–1955) and the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis (1958).

The 1958 Artillery Bombardment

One of the most intense episodes in Kinmen’s history occurred during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in August 1958, when the PLA launched a sustained bombardment of the island using over 470,000 shells within a few weeks. The assault aimed to test the resolve of the United States, which had signed a Mutual Defense Treaty with the ROC in 1954.
The crisis escalated into a significant international confrontation, with U.S. naval forces escorting ROC supply convoys across the strait. The bombardment caused extensive damage and loss of life but ultimately failed to dislodge Nationalist control. An informal truce was reached later that year, after which the PRC continued symbolic shelling on odd-numbered days until 1979, when diplomatic relations between the United States and China normalised.

Militarisation and Strategic Importance

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Kinmen remained one of the most heavily militarised zones in the world. The island was equipped with underground bunkers, minefields, artillery positions, and air defence systems. Civilian access was heavily restricted, and the population lived under strict military governance for decades.
Kinmen’s proximity to the mainland made it a focal point of intelligence gathering, propaganda warfare, and psychological operations. Both sides used loudspeakers and balloon drops to broadcast political messages across the narrow strait, turning the island into a symbolic battleground of ideological rivalry between communism and anti-communism.

Demilitarisation and Modern Development

Following the lifting of martial law in Taiwan in 1987, Kinmen underwent gradual demilitarisation and economic transformation. In the 1990s, restrictions on civilian movement and trade were relaxed, and tourism was introduced as part of an effort to revitalise the local economy. Many military facilities were converted into museums or heritage sites.
A major turning point came in 2001 with the initiation of the “Mini Three Links” (小三通) policy, allowing limited direct trade, travel, and postal communication between Kinmen and nearby Xiamen. This development significantly improved cross-strait people-to-people contact and fostered local economic integration, even as political relations between Taipei and Beijing remained tense.
Today, Kinmen’s economy depends largely on tourism, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing. The island is also renowned for its local products, particularly Kinmen Kaoliang liquor, a strong sorghum-based spirit that has become a cultural emblem.

Cultural Heritage and Architecture

Kinmen preserves a rich cultural legacy reflecting traditional southern Fujianese (Minnan) architecture and customs. Many villages feature ancestral halls, wind lion statues, and Western-style colonial houses built by overseas Chinese returning from Southeast Asia during the early 20th century. The preservation of these structures has made Kinmen an important site for architectural and cultural tourism.
Festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and Qingming Festival are celebrated with local variations, while traditional crafts such as knife-making from artillery shells—a legacy of past conflicts—symbolise the transformation from war to peace.

Cross-Strait Relations and Symbolism

In contemporary geopolitics, Kinmen represents a delicate balance between security and reconciliation. Although it remains under ROC administration, its proximity to mainland China has made it a site of practical cooperation and symbolic diplomacy.
Chinese tourists frequently visit Kinmen under special travel arrangements, and the island has hosted various cultural exchange programmes aimed at promoting mutual understanding. Nonetheless, the People’s Liberation Army continues to view the island as part of its strategic periphery, and the possibility of conflict across the Taiwan Strait keeps Kinmen’s security relevance intact.
For the people of Kinmen, daily life embodies the intersection of two worlds—governed by Taiwan but geographically tied to China. Local identity has evolved to emphasise peaceful coexistence and cultural continuity, transcending the political divide that once defined its history.

Environmental and Conservation Efforts

In recent years, Kinmen has become known for its environmental initiatives, including the Kinmen National Park, established in 1995. The park protects ecosystems such as wetlands, coastal dunes, and migratory bird habitats, including those of the Black-faced Spoonbill. Conservation efforts also focus on preserving the island’s war relics as part of its historical landscape.
The shift from militarisation to ecological preservation has transformed Kinmen from a battleground into a symbol of peace and resilience. The island now attracts both ecotourists and heritage enthusiasts, contributing to sustainable development goals within Taiwan’s regional framework.

Legacy and Contemporary Significance

Kinmen’s unique history encapsulates the broader story of the Chinese Civil War’s enduring legacy, Taiwan–China relations, and the Cold War in Asia. Once a site of confrontation and fear, it has evolved into a peaceful community fostering cross-strait dialogue and cultural preservation.