Kinmen

Kinmen, also known as Quemoy, is an archipelago and county located in the Taiwan Strait off the southeastern coast of mainland China. It is administered by the Republic of China (Taiwan) as Kinmen County. The archipelago comprises two main landmasses, Greater Kinmen Island (Kinmen Island) and the Lieyu Island group (Little Kinmen), along with several smaller islets. The county seat is Jincheng Township on Kinmen Island. The islands lie near Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, and are connected to Taiwan by air and sea links.

Historically, Kinmen has been a frontline area in cross-strait relations. In the mid-20th century, it saw extensive military activity during the conflicts between the ROC and the PRC, including bombardments in the 1950s. After the Cold War, cross-strait exchanges expanded, and Kinmen developed as a location for tourism and cultural heritage, while retaining a military presence and fortifications that attract visitors.

Economy and culture in Kinmen are driven by tourism, fishing, and agriculture. A distinctive local product is Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor, a high-proof sorghum spirit that is widely associated with the islands. The terrain features historic fortifications, watchtowers, and battlefield museums such as those documenting the Guningtou Battle. Local culture includes traditional Fujian-influenced customs and dialects, which persist alongside growing tourism.

Administration and transport: Kinmen County is part of Fujian Province under the governance framework of the Republic of China. The county government is based in Jincheng Township. The transport network includes Kinmen Airport and ferries to Xiamen and Taiwan, with roads and local transit on the islands.