On Pingtan Island, southeastern China's closest point to Taiwan, tourists watch the strait's choppy waters, unconcerned with the election.
By the sea, two walkers say they know nothing about the presidential election taking place at the same time in Taiwan, where about 23 million people are governed by a democratic system.
Beijing believes this territory is part of China and ultimately promises “reunification” with the island, even by force if necessary.
“Hong Kong has returned (to China), Macao has returned, only Taiwan remains,” said Chen Suqing, a 75-year-old retired businessman from the city.
These comments reflect the official line of the ruling Communist Party.
The reunification of Taiwan with the rest of China is “historically inevitable,” President Xi Jinping said in his New Year's address.
“We have to free Taiwan from this generation,” emphasizes Chen Suqing, promising to “fight” if the island one day declares its independence – a casus belli for Beijing.
But on Saturday the horizon of war seemed far away in Pingtan, where many tourists posed on the beach despite the gusts of wind.
Walkers take photos in front of a giant stamp depicting the Chinese coasts and Taiwan, a symbolic monument of Pingtan.
Others immortalize white doves venturing across the sand while kite surfers have fun on the horizon.
“Impatience”
A retired Communist Party leader met by AFP said he wanted “peaceful development on both sides”.
“It has been 75 years since China was liberated from foreign occupation,” said Mr. Gao, who gave only his last name due to the sensitivity of the issue.
“Everyone is waiting impatiently for the peaceful reunification of the two parties,” he assures with a black cap on his head.
Pingtan is very popular all year round because of the radiant beauty of its sea and reefs, its small stone houses, its wild vegetation and its seafood.
The island is located about 80 km south of the nearest Taiwanese coast and 186 km from the capital Taipei and is home to a Chinese military base.
AFP journalists saw a fighter jet flying over Pingtan on Saturday morning.
Mr. Chen, the first retiree, said he hoped for a victory on Saturday for Hou Yu-ih, the candidate of the Kuomintang (KMT), the main opposition party and a supporter of rapprochement with Beijing.
His position contrasts with poll favorite Lai Ching-te, whose Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), in power for eight years, maintains that Taiwan is already a de facto independent state.
“The Kuomintang is not great (…), but I hope Hou Yu-ih can win,” says Chen Suqing. “Not the DPP of Tsai Ing-wen,” the outgoing president of Taiwan and the black man of the authorities in Beijing, he adds.