History of Fujian in Timeline

Fujian is a province in southeastern China, bordering Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Guangdong, with the Taiwan Strait to its east. Fuzhou is the capital, while Quanzhou is the largest city by population. Xiamen and Zhangzhou are also notable cities. Fujian's location on the west coast of the Taiwan Strait makes it geographically and culturally close to Taiwan, a consequence of the Chinese Civil War. A small portion of historical Fujian is administered by Taiwan.

1905: Japan Made Overtures to Enlarge its Sphere of Influence to Include Fujian

In 1905, Japan made overtures to enlarge its sphere of influence to include Fujian, trying to obtain French loans and avoid the Open Door Policy.

1907: Japan Made Overtures to Enlarge its Sphere of Influence to Include Fujian

In 1907, Japan made overtures to enlarge its sphere of influence to include Fujian, trying to obtain French loans and avoid the Open Door Policy.

1918: Anarchist Constitution Protection Region of Southern Fujian Established

In 1918, Chen Jiongming established the anarchist Constitution Protection Region of Southern Fujian.

1920: Anarchist Constitution Protection Region of Southern Fujian Existed

Until 1920, Chen Jiongming established the anarchist Constitution Protection Region of Southern Fujian.

1933: Fujian Established Independent People's Government

In 1933, Fujian briefly established the independent Fujian People's Government.

1934: Fujian Re-controlled by Republic of China

In 1934, the Republic of China re-established control over Fujian.

1949: Chongwu Army Temple Honoring Fallen Soldiers

The Chongwu Army Temple honors twenty-seven fallen soldiers of the People's Liberation Army who died during an attack by Nationalist forces in 1949.

1957: Yingtan–Xiamen Railway Opened

In 1957, the Yingtan–Xiamen Railway opened.

1959: Nanping–Fuzhou Railways

In 1959, the Nanping–Fuzhou railway was opened.

1959: First rail links to Jiangxi

In 1959, the first rail links to neighboring Jiangxi opened.

1978: China Opened to the World

Since 1978, when China opened to the world, Fujian has received significant investment from overseas Fujianese, Taiwanese, and foreign entities.

1998: Hengfeng–Nanping Railway

In 1998, the Hengfeng–Nanping Railway was opened.

1999: Wuyi Mountains Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1999, the Wuyi Mountains was the first location in Fujian to be listed by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites.

2000: Rail links to Guangdong

In 2000, the first rail links to neighboring Guangdong opened.

2004: Fujian Sturgeons Debut in Chinese Basketball Association

In the 2004–2005 season, the Fujian Sturgeons made their debut in the Chinese Basketball Association and finished in seventh and last place in the South Division, out of the playoffs.

2005: Ganzhou–Longyan Railway

In 2005, the Ganzhou–Longyan Railway was opened.

2005: Fujian Sturgeons Season

In the 2004–2005 season, the Fujian Sturgeons made their debut in the Chinese Basketball Association and finished in seventh and last place in the South Division, out of the playoffs.

2006: Fujian Sturgeons Season

In the 2005–2006 season, the Fujian Sturgeons tied for fifth, just one win away from making the playoffs.

2007: Religions in Fujian

According to surveys conducted in 2007, just over 30% of Fujian's population believes and is involved in Chinese ancestral religion; 3.5% of the population identifies as Christian.

2007: Closure of Xiamen Blue Lions

In 2007, the Xiamen Blue Lions, formerly representing Fujian in the Chinese Super League, closed.

2007: Zhangping–Quanzhou–Xiaocuo

In 2007, the Zhangping–Quanzhou–Xiaocuo railway was opened.

December 15, 2008: Direct Transport with Taiwan Commenced

On December 15, 2008, direct transport with Taiwan commenced, including direct flights from Taiwan to major Fujian cities such as Xiamen and Fuzhou.

2008: Fujian Tulou Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2008, the Fujian Tulou, unique rural dwellings of the Hakka people, were listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

2009: Religions in Fujian

According to surveys conducted in 2009, just over 30% of Fujian's population believes and is involved in Chinese ancestral religion; 3.5% of the population identifies as Christian.

2009: Fujian's Forest Coverage Rate

In 2009, Fujian was the most forested provincial-level administrative region in China, with a 62.96% forest coverage rate.

2010: Danxia Landform in Taining Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2010, the Danxia landform in Taining was listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

2010: Muslim Population in Fujian

In 2010, there were reportedly just under 116,000 Muslims in Fujian.

2011: Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Capable of Handling 15.75 Million Passengers

As of 2011, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is capable of handling 15.75 million passengers.

2011: Archaeological Discoveries Show Fujian in Neolithic Age

In 2011, recent archaeological discoveries demonstrated that Fujian had entered the Neolithic Age by the middle of the 6th millennium BC.

2011: 12th Five-Year Plan aims to double the length of the province's expressways

The 12th Five-Year Plan, covering the period from 2011 to 2015, aims to double the length of the province's expressways to 5,500 kilometers.

2012: Kilometers of Highways in Fujian

As of 2012, Fujian has 54,876 kilometers of highways, including 3,500 kilometers of expressways.

2012: Longyan–Xiamen Railways

In 2012, the Longyan–Xiamen railway was opened.

October 2013: Xiamen-Shenzhen Railway Joined

In October 2013, the high-speed Xiamen–Shenzhen Railway (Xiashen Line) joined the Zhangping–Longchuan Railway and became the southernmost section of China's Southeast Coast High-Speed Rail Corridor.

2013: Neolithic Appeared on the Coast of Fujian

In 2013, Tianlong Jiao noted that the Neolithic appeared on the coast of Fujian around 6,000 B.P., characterized by low population density and reliance on fishing, hunting, and limited agriculture.

2015: 12th Five-Year Plan aims to double the length of the province's expressways

The 12th Five-Year Plan, covering the period from 2011 to 2015, aims to double the length of the province's expressways to 5,500 kilometers.

2017: Gulangyu Island Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2017, Gulangyu Island in Xiamen was listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

2021: Fujian's Population Estimated at 41.87 Million

In 2021, Fujian's population was estimated to be 41.87 million, with an urbanization rate of 69.7%.

2022: Fujian's GDP Ranked 8th Nationwide

In 2022, Fujian's GDP was CN¥5.31 trillion (US$790 billion in nominal), ranking 8th in GDP nationwide.

2022: Fujian's GDP Reached CN¥5.31 Trillion

In 2022, Fujian's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached CN¥5.31 trillion, equivalent to US$790 billion by nominal GDP, making it the 4th in East China region and 8th nationwide.

2023: Fujian Cities Rank Highly in Scientific Research

As of 2023, Xiamen and Fuzhou, two major cities in Fujian, ranked in the top 45 cities globally for scientific research output, according to the Nature Index.

2023: Fujian Proposed as Demonstration Zone for Cross-Strait Integration

In 2023, the Chinese government proposed making Fujian a demonstration zone in cross-strait integration between Taiwan and mainland China, aiming to boost economic and transportation cooperation and ease living conditions for Taiwanese people in Fujian.