A group of lawmakers from the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) headed yesterday for Wuhan, in central China's Hubei Province, to promote Taiwanese fruit.
KMT Legislator Her Jyh-huei (
Her said his association would like to serve as an intermediary between the Taiwan authorities and China in exploring the Chinese market for Taiwan fruit.
The KMT lawmaker said the Executive Yuan has asked the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) to negotiate on its behalf with the Beijing authorities on exports of Taiwan fruit to China, while Beijing said it prefers to deal with the Taiwan Provincial Farmer's Association.
Her said the Executive Yuan will not empower the Taiwan Provincial Farmer's Association because it is a local civic group, while Beijing is reluctant to talk with TAITRA because of its strong association with the DPP administration. Her said his association can help both sides to break through the impasse by serving as a go-between.
Boasting about his group's good connections with the Beijing authorities and rich experience in associating with China, Her said Beijing has always accepted certificates of origin issued by his group for Taiwanese goods.
For the benefit of Taiwanese farmers, Her urged the government not to try to stop his group's efforts from serving local farmers to promote their produce in China.
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