Finnish Scholars Visit Kinmen to Observe Borders, Facilitating Academic Cooperation Platform with Taiwan
Scholars from the University of Eastern Finland visited Kinmen to engage in academic exchange with Taiwanese scholars on border studies. This collaboration aims to share experiences and strategies in dealing with "giant neighbors," as both Finland and Taiwan face similar geopolitical challenges with Russia and China, respectively.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 17:09
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Wen-jung, Kinmen, 7th) Scholars from the University of Eastern Finland, engaged in border studies, recently visited Kinmen to exchange with Taiwanese scholars. Hung Po-yi, a Taiwanese scholar accompanying them, stated that Finland borders Russia, while Taiwan neighbors China, suggesting that "both sides can exchange some experiences and strategies in dealing with their giant neighbors."
The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) and National Taiwan University are conducting the "BorderLink" project, aiming to strengthen academic research cooperation on border issues between Finland and Taiwan. From May 5th to 7th, they co-hosted an academic exchange conference and workshop in Kinmen with the Minnan Culture Master's Program at National Quemoy University.
Hung Po-yi, one of the project leaders and a professor in the Department of Geography at National Taiwan University, stated in an interview with the Central News Agency today that recent military conflicts have made border and frontier studies with major powers a renewed focus for academia. He reiterated that Finland borders Russia, and Taiwan neighbors China, so "both sides can exchange some experiences and strategies in dealing with their giant neighbors."
Hung Po-yi pointed out that border studies are not just about grand narratives like treaty signings and international negotiations. Scholars are also concerned with how border forces enter people's daily lives, and even focus on non-human elements like marine debris and the impact of invasive Spartina alterniflora from China on Kinmen's coast. He noted that "this geopolitical ecological perspective can sometimes reveal the profoundness and uniqueness of border issues."
Hung Po-yi said that the border between Kinmen and China was drawn only after the Chinese Civil War, and its identity has a complexity different from Taiwan. Therefore, collaborating with National Quemoy University, which has accumulated significant academic energy locally, is expected to integrate academic resources and lead to more cooperation in academic publications, exchanges, visits, or education in the future.
Liu Ming-feng, director of National Quemoy University's Minnan Culture Master's Program, stated that Taiwan has gradually localized during its democratic transition, and has since been able to maintain a distance from China in terms of industry and geopolitics. However, Kinmen finds it difficult to do so due to geographical and historical factors, which leads to political tensions.
Liu Ming-feng said that understanding the relationship between Kinmen and China from a cultural perspective at this time offers a better chance to understand their similarities and differences. Therefore, this event invited scholars from various fields, including culture, geography, and psychology, hoping to create a more diverse discussion space through academic perspectives.
During the event, Finnish and Taiwanese scholars also observed passenger traffic at Kinmen's "Mini Three Links" ferry terminal, how invasive Spartina alterniflora from China affects the coastal environment, and gazed at Xiamen Xiang'an Airport, visible to the naked eye.
Jussi P. Laine, a scholar specializing in border studies at the University of Eastern Finland, stated in an interview with the Central News Agency that a huge airport can be seen just a few kilometers away, and when it becomes operational, it will bring noise and change Kinmen's tranquility.
Laine said that people often view things from the capital's perspective; China cannot be seen from Taipei, but this is not the case in Kinmen. "China will definitely have an impact on you, whether you like it or not, you have no choice." He added that at Kinmen's "Mini Three Links" ferry terminal, people can be seen carrying luggage filled with various products, establishing some kind of economic connection with China. "From the perspective of border studies, Kinmen is a very interesting hybrid form, rather than a clear border."
Laine expressed his hope to stay longer in Kinmen for research to understand the daily lives of local people. "Perhaps I can offer perspectives that locals don't have, and they can also provide insights that I am unfamiliar with." (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150507
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(Central News Agency reporter Wu Wen-jung, Kinmen, 7th) Scholars from the University of Eastern Finland, engaged in border studies, recently visited Kinmen to exchange with Taiwanese scholars. Hung Po-yi, a Taiwanese scholar accompanying them, stated that Finland borders Russia, while Taiwan neighbors China, suggesting that "both sides can exchange some experiences and strategies in dealing with their giant neighbors."
The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) and National Taiwan University are conducting the "BorderLink" project, aiming to strengthen academic research cooperation on border issues between Finland and Taiwan. From May 5th to 7th, they co-hosted an academic exchange conference and workshop in Kinmen with the Minnan Culture Master's Program at National Quemoy University.
Hung Po-yi, one of the project leaders and a professor in the Department of Geography at National Taiwan University, stated in an interview with the Central News Agency today that recent military conflicts have made border and frontier studies with major powers a renewed focus for academia. He reiterated that Finland borders Russia, and Taiwan neighbors China, so "both sides can exchange some experiences and strategies in dealing with their giant neighbors."
Hung Po-yi pointed out that border studies are not just about grand narratives like treaty signings and international negotiations. Scholars are also concerned with how border forces enter people's daily lives, and even focus on non-human elements like marine debris and the impact of invasive Spartina alterniflora from China on Kinmen's coast. He noted that "this geopolitical ecological perspective can sometimes reveal the profoundness and uniqueness of border issues."
Hung Po-yi said that the border between Kinmen and China was drawn only after the Chinese Civil War, and its identity has a complexity different from Taiwan. Therefore, collaborating with National Quemoy University, which has accumulated significant academic energy locally, is expected to integrate academic resources and lead to more cooperation in academic publications, exchanges, visits, or education in the future.
Liu Ming-feng, director of National Quemoy University's Minnan Culture Master's Program, stated that Taiwan has gradually localized during its democratic transition, and has since been able to maintain a distance from China in terms of industry and geopolitics. However, Kinmen finds it difficult to do so due to geographical and historical factors, which leads to political tensions.
Liu Ming-feng said that understanding the relationship between Kinmen and China from a cultural perspective at this time offers a better chance to understand their similarities and differences. Therefore, this event invited scholars from various fields, including culture, geography, and psychology, hoping to create a more diverse discussion space through academic perspectives.
During the event, Finnish and Taiwanese scholars also observed passenger traffic at Kinmen's "Mini Three Links" ferry terminal, how invasive Spartina alterniflora from China affects the coastal environment, and gazed at Xiamen Xiang'an Airport, visible to the naked eye.
Jussi P. Laine, a scholar specializing in border studies at the University of Eastern Finland, stated in an interview with the Central News Agency that a huge airport can be seen just a few kilometers away, and when it becomes operational, it will bring noise and change Kinmen's tranquility.
Laine said that people often view things from the capital's perspective; China cannot be seen from Taipei, but this is not the case in Kinmen. "China will definitely have an impact on you, whether you like it or not, you have no choice." He added that at Kinmen's "Mini Three Links" ferry terminal, people can be seen carrying luggage filled with various products, establishing some kind of economic connection with China. "From the perspective of border studies, Kinmen is a very interesting hybrid form, rather than a clear border."
Laine expressed his hope to stay longer in Kinmen for research to understand the daily lives of local people. "Perhaps I can offer perspectives that locals don't have, and they can also provide insights that I am unfamiliar with." (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150507
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.