[GUNSHOT] [APPLAUSE] I knew that Kinmen had been the front line for Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War. “About 100 miles across open water from Taiwan, Kinmen is surrounded on three sides by the mainland and has frequently been shelled by red artillery. As for my family, like most ethnic Chinese in Taiwan, we’ve been here for generations and have no connections to China. It’s basically a separate passport issued by the Chinese government — the same government that considers my Taiwanese passport illegal. “Hello, hello, hello.” [GUNSHOTS] Starting in 2024, Taiwanese compulsory military service will be extended to one year for all eligible men.

Source: New York Times December 05, 2023 13:42 UTC