On July 28, China's Ministry of Commerce announced the scrapping of import taxes on 15 kinds of Taiwanese fruit as of Aug. 1. What worries us is that China's moves have become tools not only for the opposition camp to pressure the government, but also for some pro-China media to sensationalize the issue in collusion with Beijing.
According to my observations over the past few days, Chinese authorities have promoted tax-free imports of Taiwanese fruit through their "united front" work. From the following points, I can prove that China's moves are actually its united-front tactics.
First, create a united fronton the "one China" issue. After China announced that it would cut import duties on some Taiwanese agricultural products, the Philippines and other WTO members, which abound with tropical and subtropical fruit, requested the same treatment.
But Beijing said, "Since Taiwan is a part of China, the import of Taiwanese fruit to China is domestic trade and should be tax-free."
If we accept China's policy, Taiwan will be considered a Chinese province in the cross-strait fruit war. Once the example is set, China will easily win the "legal war" -- one of its "three wars" (media, psychological and legal) -- by claiming that Taiwan is also its territory in the international community.
Second, create a crisis of "super fruit worms." China has rejected negotiations with the government-designated Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), while saying it wanted the Taiwan Provincial Farmers Association (TPFA) to take part.
But the TAITRA is Taiwan's official representative. If TAITRA dominates the talks, it will be able to prevent wholesalers from depriving farmers of their profits. Only in this way can they truly benefit from the tax-free policy.
Without a government representative to monitor fruit sales in China, farmers won't profit from the market. Therefore, if Beijing opposes the dominance of Taipei's designated representative on fruit, the creation of a "super fruit worms" crisis, which will eat away at farmers' profits, is more than likely.
Third, using farmers to put pressure on the government. As the import of Taiwanese fruit is under the spotlight, many farmers have started to plant the 15 kinds of fruit welcomed by China. However, if Beijing changes its mind, supply will outstrip demand, causing massive losses for farmers.
China could claim that the farmers' financial losses are a result of Taipei's refusal to cooperate with it. In light of the Chinese Communist Party's ability to stir up "workers' and peasants' protests," if the party cooperates with a "fifth column" in Taiwan to launch a farmers' protest, a crisis is not impossible.
Faced with the threat of such tactics, the government should not lower its guard. The public should also get a clear understanding of the facts. The ruling and opposition camps should have the same goal, and unite to resist such foreign aggression, in order to secure Taiwan's sovereignty and interests in the fruit battle.
Trong Chai is a Democratic Progressive Party legislator.
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.