Visitors at Pingtan, the Mainland’s Closest Point to Taiwan, Express Nostalgia and Hope for Reunification
Pingtan, China – As Beijing escalates military pressure on Taiwan with encircling warships and jets, Chinese tourists visiting the mainland’s closest point to the island expressed both nostalgia and hope for its return to Beijing’s rule.
Under the bright April sun, a steady flow of visitors arrived at Pingtan’s scenic park, located just 130km from Taiwan. With smartphones in hand, they snapped photos along the cliffside, gazing towards the self-governed island.
Ye Shenjian, capturing a picture of his wife and child, shared his thoughts: “I saw the news about the drills on TV. One day, I hope Taiwan will be part of China again.” His dream? A direct train connection to Taiwan.
Sentiment and Memories of Taiwan
For Gao Feng, a doctor from Anhui province, the visit stirred emotions. Standing with his wife and peering through a looking glass, he admired the coastal view. “I’d always heard about this place. The sea here is clearer than most in China,” he remarked. “Being so close to Taiwan makes me feel sentimental.”
Gao, like many of his generation, grew up with the idea of Taiwan’s reunification. “In primary school, we learned about the liberation of Taiwan,” he recalled. “We are one family—it’s just a matter of time before we reunite.”
Wang Juedan, 28, visiting from Yunnan, echoed this sentiment. She grew up watching Taiwanese television dramas and was struck by the sight of the island’s distant silhouette. “It’s strange to see it in person after only knowing it from TV,” she said. “If unification happens, travelling there will be much easier.”
Longing for Connection Amid Tensions
Although Taiwan has never been ruled by Communist China, Beijing considers it a part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to use force to bring it under its control. Any annexation would likely dismantle Taiwan’s democratic system and curb political dissent.
This, however, does not deter Wang Quanqiu, a 71-year-old retiree who drove nearly 2,000km from Beijing to visit Pingtan. Having previously travelled to Taiwan before restrictions tightened, he dreams of making the journey once more. “When our precious island returns, I want to drive my car all the way there,” he said confidently.
Avid followers of state media reports on cross-strait affairs, he and his wife believe reunification is not far off. “It won’t take long now,” Wang predicted.
A Military Presence Looms
While tourists took in the view, AFP journalists observed a jet soaring above the scenic coastline—an unmistakable sign of the military exercises unfolding nearby. The park sits adjacent to a Chinese military base, underscoring the heightened tensions in the region.
Local resident Liu Lili, visiting her son who studies nearby, expressed her views candidly. “I look forward to the day when Taiwan is back with us,” she said, adding her disapproval of some Taiwanese politicians.
Others in Pingtan, however, were more reserved. A woman collecting debris along the shore, dressed in a bright orange vest and rubber boots, was hesitant to discuss politics. Gesturing toward the military compound atop a nearby mountain, she simply remarked, “People here just want peace.”
