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

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

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

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

What are Taiwan's thoughts on  integration plan? 

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

“China should think about how it can take care of its b debts, but not how it can conduct united front work against Taiwan,” he said, according to CNN. However, this isn't first time that plan has been criticised. 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,” ding that it “belittles” country. For many, it is yet anor 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 Guardian, pharmaceutical industry worker, Terry Hung mitted that 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 government,” he said, ding that taking a stance different from government could result in detention. integration plan comes on heels of Taipei spotting a Chinese aircraft carrier and around two dozen Chinese warships near its waters.