Taiwan is closely monitoring Beijing’s discussions this week, concerned that China may attempt to exert economic control over sensitive frontline Taiwanese islands, according to officials familiar with the matter.

China’s ruling Communist Party, at its closed-door meeting ending Thursday, known as a plenum, is going to discuss, among other things, the country’s 15th five-year development plan, which will formally begin next year and be unveiled in detail at March’s annual meeting of parliament.

Two officials briefed on the matter told Reuters that Taiwan is paying particular attention to whether the new five-year plan makes any mention of deepening economic integration with the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands that sit just off China’s coast.

China has long taken a carrot and stick a

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