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KINMEN, TAIWAN - MAY 11: A man carrying a girl in his arms looks at the maps of Kinmen and China, at the Guningtou Battle Museum, in Kinmen, Taiwan, on May 11, 2025. The Taiwanese islands of Kinmen, which sit at roughly 3 km from China and 300 km away from Taiwan Island, have been placed at the crux of escalating Beijing-Taipei tensions. With the majority of its population having political closeness to Beijing and deep ancestral links with Mainland China, Kinmen has become the centre of the discussion: whether the islands will become Taiwan's Crimea if a Chinese annexation by force was to take place, or if Beijing will use Kinmen to test the water for a full-scale invasion, as the Russian war on Ukraine has entered its third year. Kinmen islands saw a deadly war between the Chinese Communist forces and the Taiwanese Nationalist Forces in 1949. Today, however, Kinmen welcomes 250,000 Chinese tourists a year, with many local residents tied their knot with mainland Chinese partners. According to published data in 2024, Kinmen has a population of 144,019. Politically speaking, the islands have been the stronghold of the Kuomintang (Taiwan Nationalist Party), which is considered Pro-Beijing. ( Daniel Ceng - Anadolu Agency )

KINMEN, TAIWAN - MAY 11: People walk past a painting of late Taiwan (Republic of China) President Chiang Kai-Shek, at the Guningtou Battle Museum, in Kinmen, Taiwan, on May 11, 2025. The Kinmen Islands have become a focal point in rising Beijing-Taipei tensions. Some view Kinmen as a potential testing ground for Chinese aggression or even a "Crimea scenario" for Taiwan. Despite the risks, the islands welcome 250,000 Chinese tourists annually, and many residents have family ties to the mainland. As of 2024, Kinmen's population stands at 144,019. Politically, it remains a stronghold of the pro-Beijing Kuomintang (KMT) party. ( Daniel Ceng - Anadolu Agency )

KINMEN, TAIWAN - MAY 11: A woman collecting oysters walks near anti-landing spikes at a beach, in Kinmen, Taiwan, on May 11, 2025. The Kinmen Islands have become a focal point in rising Beijing-Taipei tensions. Some view Kinmen as a potential testing ground for Chinese aggression or even a "Crimea scenario" for Taiwan. Despite the risks, the islands welcome 250,000 Chinese tourists annually, and many residents have family ties to the mainland. As of 2024, Kinmen's population stands at 144,019. Politically, it remains a stronghold of the pro-Beijing Kuomintang (KMT) party. ( Daniel Ceng - Anadolu Agency )

KINMEN, TAIWAN - MAY 11: Tourists enjoy their time near the anti-landing spikes at a beach where the Chinese city of Xiamen is visible from afar, in Kinmen, Taiwan, on May 11, 2025. The Kinmen Islands have become a focal point in rising Beijing-Taipei tensions. Some view Kinmen as a potential testing ground for Chinese aggression or even a "Crimea scenario" for Taiwan. Despite the risks, the islands welcome 250,000 Chinese tourists annually, and many residents have family ties to the mainland. As of 2024, Kinmen's population stands at 144,019. Politically, it remains a stronghold of the pro-Beijing Kuomintang (KMT) party. ( Daniel Ceng - Anadolu Agency )

KINMEN, TAIWAN - MAY 11: Anti-landing spikes are seen at a beach where the construction site of Xiang'an International Airport in the Chinese city of Xiamen is visible, in Kinmen, Taiwan, on May 11, 2025. The Kinmen Islands have become a focal point in rising Beijing-Taipei tensions. Some view Kinmen as a potential testing ground for Chinese aggression or even a "Crimea scenario" for Taiwan. Despite the risks, the islands welcome 250,000 Chinese tourists annually, and many residents have family ties to the mainland. As of 2024, Kinmen's population stands at 144,019. Politically, it remains a stronghold of the pro-Beijing Kuomintang (KMT) party. ( Daniel Ceng - Anadolu Agency )

KINMEN, TAIWAN - MAY 11: A mom and her two children enjoy their time near the anti-landing spikes at a beach where the Chinese city of Xiamen is visible from afar, in Kinmen, Taiwan, on May 11, 2025. The Kinmen Islands have become a focal point in rising Beijing-Taipei tensions. Some view Kinmen as a potential testing ground for Chinese aggression or even a "Crimea scenario" for Taiwan. Despite the risks, the islands welcome 250,000 Chinese tourists annually, and many residents have family ties to the mainland. As of 2024, Kinmen's population stands at 144,019. Politically, it remains a stronghold of the pro-Beijing Kuomintang (KMT) party. ( Daniel Ceng - Anadolu Agency )