National Service conscripts march past nationalist-era slogans near an army base wall. Frontline Dongju is part of the Matsu archipelago that is Taiwanese territory, but lies just off the coast of mai...

Despite being removed from their daises across Taiwan, statues like this of former ROC Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek remain standing proud on Dongju islet, an increasingly popular location for Taiwane...

A disused military bunker facing China, in Dapu village on Dongju islet, an increasingly popular location for Taiwanese domestic tourists. Frontline Dongju is part of the Matsu archipelago that is Tai...

A keyboard on the coast facing China. 'Sending a tune to China', part of a large art festival taking place at various locations, in many cases on abandoned military bases, across the Matsu archipelago...

A man sits on a disused military bunker facing China, in Dapu village on Dongju islet, an increasingly popular location for Taiwanese domestic tourists. Frontline Dongju is part of the Matsu archipela...

Lush and rugged coastal scenery on Dongju islet, an increasingly popular location for Taiwanese domestic tourists. Frontline Dongju is part of the Matsu archipelago that is Taiwanese territory, but li...

A guesthouse employee hangs towels and bedding to dry on Dongju islet, an increasingly popular location for domestic tourists. Frontline Dongju is part of the Matsu archipelago that is Taiwanese terri...

A stunning natural tunnel made by overhanging trees on the tiny windswept Xiju islet, part of the Matsu archipelago that is Taiwanese territory, but lies just off the coast of mainland China.

Retired photographer Mr. Chen Yi-pan stands beside his studio camera with his favourite hand-painted backdrop, in Tien Ao village. Chen used to make a good living taking portraits of the many ROC troo...

Retired photographer Mr. Chen Yi-pan stands beside his studio camera with his favourite hand-painted backdrop, in Tien Ao village. Chen used to make a good living taking portraits of the many ROC troo...

An abandoned old cinema that used to host screenings and performances for the troops stationed on frontline Xiju islet. Like many businesses, it went into decline after the standing-down of many of th...

A detail of cracking paint on a window of an abandoned house in Tien Ao village, a once thriving settlement that went into decline after the standing-down of many of the ROC forces based in Matsu at t...

A stairway leading out of Tien Ao village. Xiju islet is part of the Matsu archipelago that is Taiwanese territory, but lies just off the coast of mainland China.

A workman trimming back the undergrowth around a grave in Tien Ao village, a once thriving settlement that went into decline after the standing-down of many of the ROC forces based in Matsu at the end...

An ancient door knocker found at an abandoned villa in Tien Ao village, a once thriving settlement that went into decline after the standing-down of many of the ROC forces based in Matsu at the end of...