The aim of this study is to formulate a medium- and long-term plan for the development of the Matsu island group. During the years of high cross-strait tension, Matsu’s geographical location made it an area of immense strategic importance for national defense; consequently, Matsu was kept under military rule. Matsu’s isolated location restricted its potential for economic development, as a result of which Matsu is currently significantly less developed – both economically and socially – than most parts of Taiwan. Since the new administration took office in Taiwan in 2008, there has been a steady thawing in cross-strait relations. This increased openness has provided important new opportunities for the development of the Matsu area. In the past, the chief obstacle to Matsu’s economic development was the lack of clarity as to Matsu’s status. One of the basic assumptions made in the present study is that if the drawing up of mid-term and long-term development strategies for Matsu is not preceded by a clarification of Matsu’s status, then the region’s economic development will continue to be retarded. In particular, if Matsu is viewed as being some kind of “transshipment center” for links between Taiwan and China, then the outlook for Matsu’s future development will remain bleak.
In terms of making the most of the opportunities presented by the new developments in cross-strait relations, the present study suggests that the question of Matsu’s status can be viewed from three angles:
(1) Developmental positioning: Ensuring that Matsu’s development maintains an appropriate balance between economic growth and environmental protection.
(2) Regional positioning: Developing Matsu as a “pilot project” and model for cross-strait collaboration based on mutual trust, with the aim of creating a win-win situation for both sides.
(3) Industrial positioning: Making the tourist industry the core element in Matsu’s development, and leveraging Matsu’s unique strengths, Taiwan’s resources, and the potential of the Chinese market, to build core competitiveness for Matsu.
Examination of Matsu’s resources and environment suggests that Matsu should make the tourist industry the main focus of its development efforts, leveraging the area’s historical heritage deriving from its status as a war zone, its distinctive Eastern Fukienese culture, and its spectacular natural scenery, to stimulate Matsu’s industrial and economic development. The ultimate goal should be to develop Matsu into an “International Leisure and Tourism Island” with its own unique features.
The main problems that Matsu faces in developing the tourist industry are as follows:
(1) Disputed land ownership.
(2) Lack of sufficient breadth in the tourist offerings available.
(3) The need to improve service quality in the travel and tourism sector.
(4) Inconvenient transportation.
(5) The inadequate state of ecotourism facilities.
In light of Matsu’s status and the challenges that need to be overcome, Matsu should focus on developing niche markets, positioning its tourist industry as a low-energy-consumption, low-density tourist sector with a high cultural content. The present study proposes that the tourist industry in Matsu should be positioned to focus on two main types of tourism – island ecotourism and holidays oriented towards spiritual wellbeing – with the aim of building Matsu into a friendly offshore “leisure island” that has plenty to offer both residents and visitors.
On the basis of the positioning and development strategy outlined above, in the present study short-, medium- and long-term development plans have been formulated for Matsu’s future development. The emphasis in short-term planning (from now until 2010) is on improving existing infrastructure, including the air traffic control facilities at Matsu’s airport, the harbor facilities, and the road network on each island in the Matsu island group. In the medium-term (until 2012), the emphasis will be on upgrading the capabilities of Matsu’s tourist industry, including the cultivation of tourist industry talent, coordination of tourism resources and settling land ownership disputes.
Particular emphasis will be placed on developing in-depth tourism, making the cultivation of specialist tourist industry talent especially important. The basic strategy for long-term planning (until 2016) will be to develop Matsu as an outstanding destination for eco-tourism and for holidays oriented towards spiritual refreshment. Besides confirming the importance of environmental protection, efforts will need to be made to attract religious and healthcare organizations to establish retreats, spas etc. in Matsu. Finally, as regards legislative proposals, one of the key preconditions for Matsu’s future development will be a revision of the Statute for Offshore Islands Construction, to help settle the disputes over the return of land seized by the government or the military in the past, and over land designated for rezoning. The restrictions on travel to Matsu by residents of the Mainland China region will also need to be relaxed.