China releases ‘blueprint’ integration plan for Taiwan, Taipei rejects it as 'ridiculous'

China presented a new plan dubbed the “blueprint” to increase integration between Taiwan and Fujian, the coastal province that serves as the ideal destination for Beijing to display its military might to the self-governing island nation. On Tuesday, the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee and the State Council issued the directive. 

The document noted that Fujian would become a “demonstration zone” for Taiwan's integrated development and become the  “first home” for citizens of the country to set base in China. It also hailed the perks of the move and claimed that it would benefit cross-strait cooperation. 

As per the directive, Taiwanese businesses will be able to expand in Fujian. Furthermore, it will encourage Taiwanese companies to list on Chinese stock exchanges, help people live and work in the province, purchase property, and seek quality education in public schools.  

What are Taiwan's thoughts on the integration plan? 

The integration plan is worrisome for Taiwan as it continues to resist Chinese pressure and maintain its autonomy. The country also is months away from its presidential election. On Wednesday, Taiwanese lawmaker Wang Ting-yu rejected the plan as “ridiculous.”

“China should think about how it can take care of its bad debts, but not how it can conduct united front work against Taiwan,” he said, according to CNN. However, this isn't the first time that the plan has been criticised. The concept was first mentioned in an official Chinese document in 2021. 

At a forum in June, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council described it as “meaningless” and “futile,” adding that it “belittles” the country. For many, it is yet another move of Beijing to increase its military pressure on democratic Taiwan and claim it as its territory despite never being in control of it.

In a conversation with The Guardian, pharmaceutical industry worker, Terry Hung admitted that the plan looked “very risky”. “I do not want to invest in property in a communist nation, sharing my properties with that government. I do not want to work in an autocratic country because human rights and labour rights are all controlled by the government,” he said, adding that taking a stance different from the government could result in detention. The integration plan comes on the heels of Taipei spotting a Chinese aircraft carrier and around two dozen Chinese warships near its waters.