Yet, if not for the troops in battle array, one could have easily come to the mistaken conclusion that these were fireworks set off to beckon back home the business delegation that had left a few days previously. Matsu, which has long been accustomed to combat readiness, has become adept at navigating the mix of peace and hostility that characterizes cross-strait relations.
若非嚴陣以待的國軍英氣逼人，還會錯覺這是向前日啟程商團招手的煙火。兩岸的時代走到了和平的當口，在昔日枕戈待旦的馬祖前線更能體會到戰爭與和平交替的擦肩而過。