China has unveiled a new vision for an economic and cultural future unified with Taiwan, just days before people on the self-governing island head to the polls to pick a new President. Now, it's Beijing's latest attempt to influence voters in Taiwan, which it claims is Chinese territory and vows to retake by force if necessary. Taiwan's separation from China is seen in Beijing as an aberration, a leftover from China's civil war. Under Xi Jinping's leadership, Beijing has taken an even sharper and often more aggressive tone towards Taiwan. But China is also trying to entice more Taiwanese visitors to its shores. Our China correspondent, Laura Bicker, has this report from the province closest to Taiwan.

Bracing themselves against the brisk January winds, these Chinese tourists peer towards Taiwan. In reality, sea fog clouds their view. Undeterred, they make the most of their visit. This is as close as they can get to Taiwan. They're banned from traveling to the self-governed island, which Beijing claims as its territory and has out to take one day.

My biggest wish after visiting here is that I hope the island of Taiwan can return to our motherland soon.

Even if Taiwan is taken back, I hope it's done via peaceful negotiations. In this way, there is no harm inflict. If there is a war, the casualties will be huge. We want peace.

But worries about a war barely register with these seafood workers. Even though they live here on the Taiwan Street, they have bigger concerns.

I don't care whether it's reunified or not. It's up to the officials. We just want enough to eat. We want a better life. We don't care about other things.

President Xi's policies on Taiwan involve two things, carrot and stick. For the carrot, this city, the main one in the province, is offering incentives for Taiwanese people to come and live and work here, including much cheaper rent. Here is the stick. China's latest aircraft carrier, named after the Fujiam province closest to Taiwan, was unveiled on state media last week. The sound of military jets and warships likely drown out Beijing's attempts at wooing the island's people. Li Ha Yu came here from Taiwan for work. He tries to entice Chinese customers with simpler Taipei flavors and is aware the relationship between his past and current homes is fractious.

I think the feelings are good between the people, but I don't to know how the two governments feel about each other. I hope Thais can be normalized. I hope the two sides can be like two brothers, like a family.

Many Taiwanese are thought to be descendants of immigrants from this province. Beijing plays on these familial ties to outline a vision of a future China unified with Taiwan. But those likely to listen to this view are its own people, not those living. Living across the strait. Laura Bicker, BBC News, Fujiam.