China announced ‘plan’ to integrate Taiwan in 2024

China recently announced a plan to deepen integration between its coastal province of Fujian and self-governing Taiwan. The directive, issued jointly by the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee and the State Council, aims to make Fujian a “demonstration zone” for integrated development with Taiwan. It also promotes Fujian as the “first home” for Taiwanese residents and businesses to settle in China.

The Chinese government presented this integration plan as a “blueprint” for Taiwan’s future development. However, this comes at a critical time in cross-strait relations as Taiwan prepares for its upcoming presidential election in January. The plan was unveiled alongside military maneuvers, which included the presence of a Chinese aircraft carrier and warships near Taiwan’s waters.

China has historically employed both coercive and incentive-based strategies towards Taiwan. It has used military threats while offering economic and cultural opportunities to those who align with Beijing’s views. The extent to which Taiwan will embrace China’s proposal remains uncertain, given the strained cross-strait ties in recent years.

In response to the integration plan, a Taiwanese lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party called it “ridiculous” and criticized China for focusing on united front work against Taiwan instead of addressing its own economic challenges. The Chinese government, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of Fujian in their overall strategy on Taiwan and expressed support for the construction of the demonstration zone as a means to deepen cross-strait integrated development and lay the foundation for peaceful reunification.

While the concept of turning Fujian into a zone for integrated development with Taiwan was previously mentioned in 2021, no details were provided at that time. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council dismissed the proposal as “meaningless” and “futile,” stating that it did not align with Taiwan’s public expectations and undermined Taiwan’s significance.