China’s United Front Strategy: Testing “One Country, Two Systems” in Kinmen and Matsu
A Taiwanese scholar has raised concerns over the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) use of Taiwan’s outlying islands, Kinmen and Matsu, as a testing ground for its “united front” strategies. This approach, according to the scholar, is designed to create the illusion of “one country, two systems”—a model that Beijing has long promoted for Taiwan’s unification with China.
China’s Integration Tactics in Kinmen and Matsu
According to a report by the Taipei Times, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has warned that the CCP is actively using Kinmen as a model for gradual integration with China. By implementing policies that strengthen economic and social ties between the two sides, Beijing aims to showcase a potential path toward reunification under its preferred framework.
One of the key strategies China has employed is allowing Taiwanese nationals to apply for Chinese identification (ID) cards in Fujian Province. What makes this policy particularly significant is that Taiwanese applicants are not required to renounce their Taiwan ID or passport. This dual identity mechanism subtly encourages deeper ties with China while normalizing the idea of Taiwanese citizens holding legal status within the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The “Kinmen-Xiamen Common Living Circle” Proposal
Beijing has also put forward the idea of a “Kinmen-Xiamen Common Living Circle,” a cross-strait initiative aimed at fostering closer daily interactions between residents of Kinmen and the nearby Chinese city of Xiamen. A major part of this plan includes a shared transportation system between the two regions, facilitating easier travel for residents.
A critical element of this proposal is the construction of a bridge linking Kinmen to Xiamen’s Xiangan International Airport. If completed, this infrastructure project would further integrate Kinmen with China’s transportation network, effectively making the Taiwanese island more dependent on China for trade, travel, and economic growth.
Economic Incentives and Strategic Alliances
China’s approach to Kinmen and Matsu extends beyond infrastructure projects and legal status offers. The CCP has been strategically using economic incentives to increase its influence over the local population. These incentives include trade benefits, investment opportunities, and business-friendly policies designed to attract Taiwanese entrepreneurs and residents into closer economic cooperation with China.
According to Soong Kuo-cheng, an expert on cross-strait relations, Beijing is leveraging these strategic alliances to gradually blur the lines between Taiwan and China. By fostering economic interdependence, China aims to weaken Taiwan’s resistance to unification while presenting an alternative to formal political negotiations.
Taiwan’s Response and Concerns
Taiwanese authorities and scholars remain wary of China’s intentions. The government has repeatedly warned that the CCP’s strategies in Kinmen and Matsu are not merely about regional cooperation but rather a calculated effort to push Taiwan toward unification under the “one country, two systems” framework.
The Mainland Affairs Council has stressed that Taiwan must be vigilant against these tactics, ensuring that any economic or infrastructural collaboration does not compromise the island’s sovereignty. Given the CCP’s track record in Hong Kong, where democratic freedoms were gradually eroded despite promises of autonomy, there is deep skepticism in Taiwan regarding Beijing’s long-term intentions.
Conclusion
China’s use of Kinmen and Matsu as experimental zones for its united front strategy reflects a broader geopolitical play to bring Taiwan under its control. By fostering economic ties, offering legal identity options, and integrating infrastructure, Beijing is subtly shaping a narrative of peaceful and inevitable unification. However, Taiwan remains cautious, recognizing these moves as part of a larger political agenda.
The outcome of these efforts will largely depend on how Taiwan’s government and people respond. While economic cooperation may offer short-term benefits, the long-term implications for Taiwan’s sovereignty remain a major concern in the face of China’s growing influence.
