As a result of different natural surroundings, histories, cultural developments, and geographical positions, the people of the offshore islands feel very far removed from Taiwan proper. "Whenever a typhoon comes," says hotelier Chen Sai-hsiang, offering one example, "it is only after the storm passes Taiwan that the winds and rains finally hit Matsu."
但自然環境、歷史人文和地理歧異，也使得離島居民對台灣本島懷有強烈的疏離感，「每當颱風來臨，台灣離開暴風圈後，馬祖的風雨才正要來，」陳賽香舉例。