Island in Between | An Oscar-Nominated Op-Doc

I was born in Taiwan, grew up in the United States, worked extensively in China and now live in Taipei. This mix of experiences has given me a front-row seat to the complex, decades-long dance between these nations. Lately, the world is paying considerably more attention to my homeland, especially after the former U.S. House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, visited in August 2022.
Kinmen, also known as Quemoy, is a group of islands governed by Taiwan that were the front lines of the first and second Taiwan Straits Crises decades ago. They lie just a few miles from mainland China, and these days, locals are unsure what escalating tensions mean for the future.
Taiwanese voices are often drowned out by Chinese and American narratives, overshadowed by the global power plays going on around us. Few people outside the region understand what life is actually like for the Taiwanese people caught in between two superpowers. I made this documentary to show life in Taiwan through the eyes of the people who live there, including me.
At this moment, as we struggle to make sense of the horrors of war, I hope this documentary can play a small part in advocating for peace.
- Film and Text by S. Leo Chiang
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[@colonialstraits1069]

Geo-politics is often shown from 10,000 feet, in the large, impersonal way that makes it hard for people to truly grasp. Vignettes like this, they tell a very personal story, do a great deal of good in helping almost anyone actually feel how this impacts everyday life for those caught in the crosshairs. Thank you for enlightening those of us who have no personal connection to China, Taiwan or Kinmen.

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

You took the words out of my mouth. Exactly.

[@shanlin2554]

Please allow me to comment in Chinese. 看了之後, 我寫給所有朋友們推薦這支短片: 「如果你有二十分鐘, 請安靜地享受這一部剛剛獲得奧斯卡提名的記錄短片: Kinmen, Island in Between。我保證它值得你的時間, 它會讓你憶起小時候, 想想現在和未來。開頭沒多久, 我的眼眶已發熱, 心中的悸動愈來愈高。好多個鏡頭, 都讓我按下暫停鍵, 感懷良久。 這位江松長, 是個人才!」

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

Chiang is anti-China ...he doesn't consider himself as a Chinese person nor recognized the ROC 🇹🇼 as the country .

[@niu5220]

❤

[@CynthiaWang808]

不僅僅是金門，馬祖也是。夾在中間。

[@kakashiar]

太多中華民國派的影子，例如12:50的護照還是舊版的，如果是刻意的，就是刻意不用新版更突顯Taiwan字樣而沒有上方ROC字樣的護照。還有如果您小時候唱過什麼「*沙漢間」、「反攻大陸去」之類的歌，我們可沒有唱過，您有沒有想過老是被外國人誤解我們還要claim宣稱擁有中國領土的心情？這一方面的誤導介紹也佔去太大篇幅了，還要繼續那種誤解嗎

[@MsKaomai]

@@kakashiar 導演接受專訪的時候主持人百靈果們也提到歌曲這是成長背景年代的差距。況且如果您認識更多一些海外華僑(如同導演的成長背景)這些二十多年前早已離開台灣的華僑們，對於這些政治色彩衍生的文字與國名分歧是非常陌生的。

[@unaeki]

Realizing how much of an inflection point we are in history and how easily the world could go in any number of ways is truly mind boggling.

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

indeed

[@TheIgdrasil1]

It was always this way, just you are too young to remember all those turning points. And yet whatever happened, in grand scheme of things nothing changed

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

@@TheIgdrasil1 No it hasn't always been like this... people that have lived during the Cold war have said that it is worse now than it has ever been. Not to mention the threats that are being made by the instigator have never been this bad before.

[@mcmcmcm6520]

guessing you were too young to remember all of those other times.

[@shanchang6488]

I was born in Kinmen. People in Kinmen they don't want war to happen, there are traces of war everywhere we can see. We know the horrors of war. When I was young, I often heard stories from my grandparents and family about the war. It can be said that Kinmen people have not yet emerged from the shadow of the war. Thanks to this video for letting everyone see Kinmen, but there are still many stories about Kinmen that can be explored. I have to say a one thing, I'm from Kinmen and I'm from Taiwan.

[@yiyisun2160]

you have said what you don't want. so say aloud what does Taiwanese want? war is controlled by China, doesn't matter you want or not. unless you accept their policy. and their policy is not negotiable.

[@eggzheng]

nobody wants war, the matter is what DPP gov will do.

[@marisachang8560]

Yes, the Allies initially did not want either, and the Holocaust happened. Taiwanese people don't want war either. Does this mean, we get to let China invade and take what is NOT theirs?

[@shanchang6488]

@@yiyisun2160 This video shows our situation. Like this title “Island in between”. Your are right, we can’t decide the war and decide our own future.

[@shanchang6488]

@@eggzheng But now in Kinmen, we don't have enough army troops there. 20 years ago, there were 100,000 soldiers more than the resident. Maybe the Communist Party doesn’t care about Kinmen, but we don’t know how they will do with us. EVEN we don’t know that how does Taiwan think of Kinmen. I really thanks for the director making the film, because there still a lot of issues for us to explore.

[@bettyctang]

I am one of those Taiwanese who's never visited Kinmen. And my parents met in Kinmen while serving, too! Your film is such an eye opener. Thank you Leo, for your powerful, moving, and thoughtful narrative. Bravo and congratulations! Fingers crossed for you during awards season!

[@S.LeoChiang]

Thanks Betty!

[@haruzanfuucha]

Most Taiwanese have never visited Kinmen, they don't even have any interest in Kinmen.

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

​@@haruzanfuucha Because they're practically brainwashed by the DPP .

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

​@@S.LeoChiang You also have a ROC 🇹🇼 passport ... that makes you a Chinese national . Stop your political correctness . You're definitely a Chinese !

[@kindaking]

As a Taiwanese American I loved this video so much!! So many shared sentiments

[@keyser021]

There's no such thing as a Taiwanese American, no need to make up new words. If you were born on the island, you were born in 中華民國. Simple. Whitey may not know the diff, but 90% of the globe does. Show some self respect.

[@meteoresky]

@@keyser021 Believe me everyone knew Taiwan instead of ROC abroad. Taiwanese Americans are welcomed everywhere in democratic countries instead of any words relate with "CHINA".

[@marisachang8560]

@@keyser021 I was born in Taiwan. Here, I've said it. Not born in ROC.

[@roc9622]

用台灣只是害怕中共抗議中華民國的方式但中共甩你嗎？自降身分的做法在中共眼中這就坐實了台獨的代名詞。非但不能解決問題反而為對方提供彈藥的作法，這又是玩哪齣？@@meteoresky

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

​@@roc9622 DPP are traitors to the Chinese nation. ROC 🇹🇼 citizens are both Chinese and Taiwanese . Traitors DPP doesn't consider themselves as Chinese .

[@darylp9306]

Beautifully told narration. What a compelling story coupled with excellent cinematography! Indeed, the story of Kinmen is the story of being caught in a never ending tussle between fragile peace and simmering war. 😢

[@Jbuttafoucault]

We need to stop the eeeeeevil see-see-pee before they reunify China and expel the fascists from Taiwan!

[@pingq2081]

Kinmeng is tussled between 2 governments but it is the safest place among all the lands which are under control of taiwan government because if there is war, the war will be very close to Taiwan island.

[@HaraldinChina]

it shows that the PRC has no intent on violent reunification with the remaining territories under Republic of China control. Nowadays the PRC could do it in a day, but they still patiently wait for the Chinese on Kinmen (Fujian province) and Taiwan island (Taiwan province) to find out that the US will always treat them as tools for the US empire.

[@olexijka]

Beautiful movie. I'm from Ukraine. And this movie resonates with me so much. We are undergoing the same situation here after Russia's invasion. There is a phrase in the movie that is golden: "Many in Kinmen ... think that US should stop interfering". It's the same here. Instead of throwing weapons and money left and right it's better to provide us with skilled diplomats to settle the conflict and stop unnecessary deaths instigated by countries who "all know what's best for me but don't care what I want"

[@justinyang21114798]

Thank you so much for making this!! I cannot express how much I relate to this as a Taiwanese American. I grew up in Taiwan and am now in the US for college. My parents also told me and my sister to have a plan if China invaded and told us that they probably wouldn't leave since we had so many family here. While doing my military service over the summmer, I learned that my grandpa was stationed in Kinman for 5 years after he flee China from the Civil War. And I remember before doing my service my uncle told me how worried my grandma and grandpa was he was stationed in Kinman back in the 90s.

[@jerrysun0667]

我阿公以前在馬祖 也是前線

[@justinyang21114798]

@@jerrysun0667 我爺爺是前線狙擊手

[@TireSpare]

stay safe and study well in the states, buddy. I graduated canadian college by 2021 and returned to my home in South Korea to make my country more advanced.. i am suggesting national councils better US Canada policies and work environment laws. anyway i hope you keep doing well to make your country better like me !

[@dannytadashi4235]

Why do I feel like this is a propaganda video HAHAHAHA LOL 😂😂😂😂👍👍👍👍!!!

[@seeyouinawhile]

The contrast between the calmness of daily life and the political tensions is fascinating.

[@ianchu8232]

I'm from Shanghai and have lived half of my life in China and half in the US. Heart-broken is the word. I don't know why I am in tears.

[@larry7898]

What a beautiful made video essay. Heartwrenching. As a Chinese American, I am heart broken

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

Nonsense . What's to be "heartbroken" about ? Residents of Chinmen and Penghu are living comfortable lives . They are in favor of future reunification with the Mainland .

[@UserBeloved]

Oscar is an excellent vehicle to broaden another horizon of most KZbin viewers about the true nature of the Taiwan nation its identity most needed so far. Through your independent hard work and possible award winning can further advance our goal. Thank you for your earnest heart bringing Taiwan to the world.

[@why_are_you_gae6729]

Kinmen is special because it’s one of the few places where the Republic of China still lives on.

[@mikrokosmosvillage9181]

Wonderful film! As a South Korean with an American passport, this story deeply resonates with me.

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

This Chiang doesn't consider himself as a "Chinese" . Unlike Koreans from both NK and SK ... that considered themselves as one people .

[@user-sn1il4ne4l]

謝謝江先生！ 說自己的故事最動人❤願 鏡頭下的一切都永續和平。祝福您的父母健康。

[@hklim6346]

有淚的回忆、记忆。 🙏

[@green-user8348]

Wow...beautiful. A very moving piece, so thoughtful. Thanks again.

[@chifang756]

氛圍很舒服可以無負擔地看完～ 祝福讓這支紀錄短片可以有更多人看到～祝福得奧斯卡獎❤

[@victoriage5865]

這是一部令人感慨且具啟發性的紀錄片！看完影片，讓人不禁感嘆: 回顧古今中外歷史，有多少的歷史悲劇，如敵對所造成的迫害、戰爭而導致民不聊生、骨肉分離、家破人亡等等…，實際都是因為統治者和掌權者的私心、貪欲而造成的！ This is a touching and inspiring documentary! After watching the film, people can’t help but sigh: Looking back at ancient and modern Chinese and foreign history, there are so many historical tragedies, such as persecution caused by hostility, wars that lead to people’s deprivation of life, separation of flesh and blood, family destruction, etc... In fact, many of them were due to the selfishness and the greed of the rulers and those in power.

[@andrewweaver2517]

Excellent narration and camer work. This is a beautiful piece of cinema.

[@stephaniechung1768]

繼吳念真之後，拍攝濃濃家鄉味與溫暖人心的聲音。

[@headoverheels88]

This is a punch in a gut for me as a first generation American whose parents come a Latin American country that was a focal point for geopolitics (during the Cold War). Something about the casualness and calmness of your parents just took me a weird place that reminds me of my parents. 😅 Obviously the conflict my parents were caught in is historical and the Taiwanese situation is current, so it's not a one-to-one... but it's like watching past ghosts for a war that hasn't happened yet. Ghosts from the future. I wish I were a better writer to describe the feeling. 😅

[@accountisdisabled]

Which country?

[@noopynnus]

Probably Cuba

[@accountisdisabled]

Yep, that's what I thought. I'm Cuban, that's why I asked. It's strange to live so close to family left behind and not be able to visit. That's somewhat the sentiment maybe?@@noopynnus

[@claudioparra2741]

Weird not just saying Cuba, a bot maybe?

[@accountisdisabled]

Maybe @@claudioparra2741

[@BabsBrooklynPilates]

This film is beautifully made. The fact that of late people think war is either imminent or the best answer terrifies me. People never learn from history.

[@jaehyunim8038]

I visited Kinmen in July and it was a unique experience to learn the history as an graduate student studying geopolitics. Hope to visit the island again soon!

[@why_are_you_gae6729]

Unlike people in Taiwan, the Kinmenese still believe in the Republic of China

[@johnguzman1987]

I'm not Taiwanese but I finished my master's in Taiwan. I feel a deep sense of belonging to Taiwan and was always curious about culture and places including Kinmen. I visited the island in 2017 and was impressed how locals go by their daily lives as if nothing wrong may ever happen. 希望兩邊得到和平。台灣加油！ I have also visited China several times. Yes, they are a communist country but that is not really evident in their way of living at the present. I would say Chinese people are friendly and peaceful as much as the Taiwanese. It's just sad that the two governments across the Stait cannot find a common ground for lasting peace for all.

[@why_are_you_gae6729]

Germany. Korea. Vietnam. China. We all know what happened.

[@ayochen7237]

很棒的纪录短片，给我一种感受，像是记录了暴风雨前的宁静~

[@nowinvideo]

I am deeply grateful to the director for making this film, which has allowed more people to learn about Kinmen. As someone from Kinmen, I must say that the world knows far too little about Kinmen's history and its belonging. Even last year, when I went to the United States and was handling some certifications at the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Los Angeles, the staff asked me to fill in my place of birth. When I wrote "Fukien (Fujian)," they had absolutely no idea that Kinmen is part of Fujian Province and insisted that I change it to "Taiwan." It's important to note that my passport lists my place of birth as "Fukien (Fujian)." This lack of understanding, even among the employees of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, is truly astonishing.

[@kaidongwei4406]

Such a heartfelt piece from someone who had immigrated from a young age and is still in the process of exploring his own cultural identity. Can relate to this film on so many levels. Seeing all the familiar street views and the shot of Xiamen from the other side also reminded me of my own personal journeys - my many years spent abroad and my last trip to Xiamen with my ex-partner. Things are changing fast and the future is uncertain, reminiscing my own past has brought me to tears - but my tears came not from a political perspective but more so from my personal memories of China, Taiwan, and the U.S. and the summer I spent together with my ex-partner in Xiamen.

[@marcused8317]

he wasn’t worth it kaidong

[@BearsCave]

Initially I think the “island” in the film title (“Island in Between”) means the island of Kinmen (aka Quemoy), which is physically located in between mainland China and Taiwan (regardless of the distance). To the end, I feel it means the island of Taiwan, which is intangibly caught in between mainland China and the U.S. A punch “word”, if you will. The last narrative sounds like he is being torn between (or among, grammatically) Chinese, American, and Taiwanese.

[@TractorBeam]

Well done S. Leo Chiang 🎉 thank you for sharing your experiences with an island I had completely no concept of.

[@BeeDenver]

I absolutely love when Oscar shorts TEACH me something. This was very enlightening.

[@baibruce6156]

Nice movie, peaceful and beautiful. Hope we’re far from the war.

[@chihweilee1354]

That’s my home town ❤ I served the military training there this year😊

[@annamariaesposito2724]

Thank you. It' a wonderful video

[@rod9829]

Fantastic piece

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

Such a beautiful documentary...

[@johncrick]

这部纪录片让我潸然泪下

[@changa9883]

導演加油👏我去金門好幾次❤❤❤在那邊金門真的有特別意義的感覺，希望能得獎🏆

[@0936581998]

《金門》的英文片名 取得非常有意思， 《ISLAND IN BETWEEN》 以極具詩意的方式暗喻「中間地位」， 在中國與台灣之間的島嶼， 以及在中國與美國之間的台灣。

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

U$A and DPP are in connivance to abolish the ROC 🇹🇼 and replace it with an "independent" Taiwan .

[@faltman4928]

Thank you for expanding my education. 🙏🏻

[@sofresh_tv3053]

畫面取的真美❤

[@ppod1255]

I love Taiwan, I love this land. This is my hometown. Where I grew up, freedom is free and priceless.

[@TravelGirl785]

I worked on Kinmen teaching ESL in 2005. What I saw was a sleepy island, with the kindest, loveliest people. Every time I go back, it feels like going home. There’s something about this place that keeps drawing me back. I was surprised to see “my island” featured in a documentary. I saw the war-torn homes, the embattled beaches. I met the South African teams that had come to help clear away the buried mines. I bought and still use the knives made from thousands of spent shells. This island has so many stories to tell. I’m glad it’s apart of my story. I’ll forever have Kinmen with me in my heart, and tattooed on my wrist. I hope to go back someday.

[@user-ud7vn4md6i]

拍的真好，给我看哭了

[@fabipuello]

Beautiful work

[@naecopeed]

謝謝導演和所有幕後拍了這部片

[@meng-hsuanlee8543]

Bravo, well done

[@ThePandacub69]

It was just nominated for an Oscar!

[@user-bt7kx6qt2z]

Yes

[@patrickorourke3710]

Totally deserved!

[@InTheBiggestWlan]

可怕的不是無知，而是根本意識不到無知的大腦。感謝還能有這樣一部紀錄片，時刻警醒我們不要被意識形態教育帶離追尋真理的跑道。

[@Chelsea-jd4yt]

這部短片的觀點是？真理是？

[@eldopereira]

Que interessante documentário. Muitas nuances abordadas tão bem. Um aspecto é que sempre que me deparei em estudos com Teresa Teng foi ouvindo falar de sua voz e de seu sucesso em países como Taiwan e Japão a partir da emoção. Não conhecia seu papel na independência.

[@green-user8348]

Fantastic video. Thank you so much. I learned a lot. I never knew Taiwan had an island so darn close to mainland China.

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

That's what biased MSM-academicians- politicians are doing ... misinformation by not mentioning Chinmen and Penghu . All part of their anti-China narrative

[@why_are_you_gae6729]

Taiwan actually held on to a group of islands near Shanghai until 1958 too. When they left, all 200,000 residents were evacuated to Taiwan. The entire island was left empty.

[@WinkelmanSM-3]

beautiful documentary

[@user-uq7eg2du8z]

相當感動😹 心都碎了。

[@stephenmcfarland2298]

I lived in Taiwan for 3 years in the early 2010's. I knew a couple people in their 50's and 60's in favor of reunification, but among the younger generation, I can't ever remember talking to someone who openly advocated for that position. Given China's missteps over the last 3 years, I can't foresee a majority of Taiwanese wanting to reunify with China.

[@antoniussamuelson3748]

but survey shows ottherwise. majority of taiwanese didn't want to reunify with china. asking couple of people didn't represent the majority of taiwanese voice.

[@truezyf]

分裂分子不想做中国人，就快点把政府名字改掉。 中华民国、孙中山和你们都没关系的。孔子、霍去病、关羽、岳飞、文天祥、陆游、杜甫、范仲淹、林则徐，都和你们没关系。你们最爱的人是八田与一和岩里政男。

[@Dept246]

2022 survey 1% want reunification, 30% want independence and the rest want to maintain the status quo. The recent election reflect the survey as the DPP the party that favors independence won only 40% of the vote.

[@jeffholck4098]

@@antoniussamuelson3748- You are both saying the same thing: the majority don’t want unification.

[@sa751117]

太棒了

[@user-xq3zq1mc2r]

It is a very beautiful and delicate short film.

[@AOSTZU]

其實，「友善」這部分也不必覺得太驚訝，「友善」是根深在揮動著青天白日滿地紅🇹🇼的人之心，也是許多外國遊客來臺排列第一的印象，☺️KINDNESS友善＝🇹🇼臺灣其中的一部分🥰

[@stephen_mcateer]

Excellent.

[@meow-gl6yn]

As a Taiwanese, I couldn't help crying while watching this video.

[@user-vi2rw7lw8k]

Touching work 🥹

[@ian199584269]

哈哈片頭的雨夜花音樂好熟悉喔，我回澎湖時要降落馬公機場的時候也會放，很好聽，讓人有終於到家了的感覺😂

[@SYO724F-tl7ec]

a beautiful works epitomizing all the perplexities onto one island.

[@fubytv731]

Tian Mi Mi brings back a lot of memories!

[@jyotijangra5528]

May god protect your people, this was beautifully narrated.

[@ellenwheat3608]

Excellent

[@Takealookat123]

i have been to near kinmen from Xiamen by ferry , although i am not chinese but i really wanted to see life in kinmen, amazing feeling

[@alohaiw]

how peaceful the sunset is

[@DanielHodotcom]

Beautiful story!

[@jcbizzy]

Beautiful

[@albertv3616]

Great video.

[@eggzheng]

这部短片能获得奥斯卡提名挺出乎意料，但确实能提高金门的国际关注度。其实从小到大身边很多大陆人都不知道有这么一个离厦门这么近，由台湾当局管辖的地方。小时候去厦门玩，就有乘船绕金门的行程，但当时大人们都把金门说成台湾，还以为语文书上的宝岛台湾原来这么近。长大后，这种金门和厦门乃至福建特殊的地理人文政治关系又令我着迷，因此到台湾旅游的第一站就是通过小三通到金门，不得不说金门这种特殊的战地旅游文化和两岸不同的史观是我台湾行印象最深的一站

[@theathletesmind2130]

就是你有你這種翻牆的人還是有大一統思想什麼？台灣當局你可以放尊重一點嗎？台灣政府中華民國政府給你們中共中華人民共和國完全沒關係，互不隸屬

[@eggzheng]

@@theathletesmind2130 第一个问题语法有问题我看不懂哦，但是两岸互不承认主权，我说台湾当局没有问题哦

[@user-kj2lb2qm6x]

讚！

[@user-zn7je5mj6n]

😊what a fascinating short film

[@user-yi2bv1gx1p]

長居在島上的居民，不覺得金門島上一草一物，有何奇特之處，外地來的觀光客當然會新奇，這為得獎作品的作者，採用外地觀點，全面鳥瞰金門的過去、現在及未來，既探索歷史的脈絡，也前瞻未來的的發展，當金門百姓走過烽火歲月的洗禮，也經歷國戰火的陶冶，看似稀鬆平常的日子，在觀光客眼中閃過的，不是憐憫，而是艱難困苦的過往，而即將帶給世人的是世界戰火遺生的活生生案例，金門是目前全球和平實驗區的驕傲，得來非常不容易！張火木閱讀作品後有感2024、1、27

[@user-qy6bk5su4l]

恭喜你得獎了🏆

[@Jerry-sf3vd]

Great video that brought back a lot of memories. I have Taiwan-US dual citizenship but I found it a lot easier to travel with the "Mainland Travel Permit" or MTP issued by China. Previously I had to go to a Chinese Embassy in US or Canada to get a visa for my business trip.

[@Jerry-sf3vd]

China invasion in Taiwan is more like a political slogan as evidenced by no assets fleeing Taiwan. The two sides have been in peace for 70 years until the current Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Tsai came on board and US purposely sending high level politicians to Taiwan, which never happened before. My biggest fear is, if and when the bad day really comes the Taiwanese military has been too demoralized to fight the war.

[@Jerry-sf3vd]

Taiwanese military was established by KMT and it is unfortunate that DPP targeted the military as part of its power struggle with KMT. Yuan-Shan Martyrs' Shrine is where all anti-communist martyrs were worshiped. President Tsai went to a 2018 ceremony and spit at the end of the ceremony to display her disrespect (kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqPQg5qvhqaLppY).

[@bakchodbabajijoletajaancho2538]

Your life is worth more than mine because of your US citizenship , I'm just a lowly Indian national that has no right to live.

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

Does ROC 🇹🇼 issue the MTP or the PRC ...?

[@lilac1204]

@@peekaboopeekaboo1165 PRC issues the MTP to ROC citizens only

[@utubefreshie]

What a beautiful touching film. I'm Filipino and the Philippines is just south of Taiwan. We Filipinos recognize Taiwan's independent nationhood. We also resent China's encroachment into parts of the South China Sea and of Southeast Asia, and its takeover of Hong Kong. I'm not from Taiwan but this film felt personal for me. 🇵🇭 🇹🇼

[@why_are_you_gae6729]

Yikes. Look up Taiwan’s claim on Itu Aba. Look up Taiwan’s response to the UN ruling in 2016z

[@alphayoung]

Makes me want to visit Kinmen some day...

[@davidlee5080]

May peace live with Kinmen and Straits forever愿两岸和金门永远和平

[@somekindofhmm]

That RGB missile array is morbidly fascinating

[@jennychuang808]

Wow! Epic

[@stephenjacewicz4594]

This is gorgeous

[@PhilipJames360]

Kinmen is a fascinating place - I spent a week there and stayed in Jincheng. For an history buff it is a must visit. My observation: Kinmen felt more like China to me than Taiwan.

[@masterchinese28]

There is that one neighborhood in Kinmen (Jinmen) that full of building made of stucco and it feels like you are in the Middle East or something. It's a fascinating place.

[@arielxup666]

Probably because it's never been ruled by the Japanese.

[@haruzanfuucha]

Kinmen is more traditional than Taiwan is and most of the Kinmenese population does not identify as "Taiwanese" much.

[@dsw86]

It’s true. Kinmen and Matsu are the most authentic places to see the original ROC version of China. They’re populated by true Fujian Chinese with deep and recent roots to the mainland. The Taiwanese benshengren instead have had up to 400 years away from the mainland, and also underwent 50 years of Japanese colonial rule that only broadened the divide. The current ROC administration, no matter if controlled by DPP or KMT or even TPP, is always going to have an awkward relationship with Kinment/Matsu, simply by virtue of its central authority being based in Taiwan, not in Beijing, and no longer actively pursuing the retaking of the Mainland.

[@kingabaddonmusic]

love and peace forever

[@kermyslittlepig]

As an Australian living in Taiwan for 13 years, I seldom if ever hear the younger generations say the words "mainland" or "reunification" 加油，台灣 🇹🇼

[@why_are_you_gae6729]

It’s different on Kinmen. Kinmen was never colonized by Japan. Kinmen shares far more with its sister island Xiamen than with Taiwan.

[@kubylin]

Thank you for making this film! Congratulations and hope Taiwanese who lives in Taiwan land can wake up!

[@CrabNoodleSoupp]

China is vibrant and beautiful... until you start criticizing the government. After the Hong Kong crackdown, we already know what Taiwan will look like under China, whether unification is "peaceful" or not.

[@amychang-levack1066]

Film is nicely done.

[@KaylaCosmos]

Thanks for sharing and telling the story of this island so many people don’t know about! I lived on Kinmen for a year & lived in Kaohsiung my second year in Taiwan. I absolutely fell in love with Kinmen and despite the differences between Kinmen and Taiwan, Kinmen’s history made me appreciate and love Taiwan more. I never made it to Xiamen as the ferry closed right after I arrived but it was wild to see Xiamen right there. I also spent time exploring abandoned bases, and mansions left behind my families that once lived there before Kinmen was occupied by military. If anyone is interested in seeing more Kinmen, I’ve made probably 50+ vlog style videos exploring Kinmen that are on my channel! With my videos, it was also interesting to get comments from former soldiers who served there and to realize the stark difference between the Kinmen I got to know and the Kinmen they knew when it was much more dangerous.

[@tfoen7678]

This is an eye opening video. Love it. Both my parents grew up during the Mao revolution and left during the 70's to come here to the USA. I worked at a Taiwan based company and met some interesting folks from Taiwan and told them even though I was born in the United States, I believe Taiwan is an independent nation and does not belong to China as Hong Kong is not a part of China even after the hand over of 1997 from GB.

[@eggzheng]

I don't judge the Taiwan part, but it is funny to see somebody cheating themselves about HK.

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

ROC 🇹🇼 is an independent country . Taiwan Island is a province and region of China .

[@sammarie2590]

“There are no winners in war”

[@RealAadilFarooqui]

Congratulations on your OSCARS Nominations

[@masterchinese28]

I visited Kinmen in 1997. I had never visited the Chinese mainland at that point, but I could literally see buildings and people from there. It was a surreal feeling. The island was sprawling with young troops, the beaches had signs posted warning of landmines and there were obvious craters as well as souvenirs made from bomb fragments. Maybe favorite part of the trip was talking to a middle-aged gentleman at the bowling alley. He told of his youth during the bombings. In the later years, the bombs were filled with propaganda leaflets, which the children could take to school and trade for pencils. He said that he and the other kids would get excited when they had to go inside because of the bombing because they knew they might get free pencils at school the next day!

[@davidholaday2817]

I visited China in 2017. It's a beautiful and lively country.

[@ytwei716]

Good post at this time. I was born in Hong Kong because 1949 issue in China , age 3 to 26 in Taiwan. Good Luck to your Project. 2024. I stay in Los Angeles (from NYC) now... 0126.2024.0126.2024.0126.2024

[@scyou9795]

非常推薦，值得品味

[@aidiyursalofficial8046]

I had ever visited to Xianmen, China but not yet to Taiwan. And If I have a chance I will come there, hopely

[@spin3sixty]

I need to visit Kinmen for this... and the Kaoliang Liquor.

[@markeasley6149]

Kinmen is in a tough spot as taking the most brutal assault in a conflict and also a bargaining chip for both sides. Realistically it probably will go to the mainland someday.

[@yoyozhang7867]

The treature of Kimen is its natural beauty, and it is a National Park now.