Purpose/Significance To implement the CPC Central Committee's strategic plan of exploring new pathways for Cross-Strait integrated development and promoting practical integration in rural areas, this paper takes Sanming, Fujian—the first Cross-Strait Rural Integrated Development Pilot Zone in China—as a case study. It examines its integration approaches, practical challenges, and policy recommendations, summarizing the pilot zone’s pioneering experience as a reference for other regions pursuing integrated development.

Methods/Process Through policy analysis, case studies, and field research, this paper systematically reviews the pilot zone’s practices across three dimensions—industrial integration, social governance, and cultural exchange—while identifying issues such as insufficient collaborative project planning, fragmented governance systems, and weak identity-building mechanisms. Optimization suggestions are proposed based on the theoretical framework of integrated development.

Results/Conclusions The study finds that Sanming has preliminarily established a replicable and scalable integrated development model through resource complementarity, institutional innovation, and platform construction. However, deeper integration requires addressing institutional gaps, enhancing policy coordination, and strengthening grassroots functions. Sanming’s experience provides a practical template for regions with relatively weak resource foundations to advance integrated development, offering significant practical guidance and policy reference value.