The Council of Agriculture yesterday cautioned farmers against rashly making inroads into China.
Council Vice Chairman Tai Cheng-yao's (戴振耀) warning came after recent reports that Chinese authorities promised to give tariff-free treatment to Taiwan's agriculture products.
Tai questioned whether this is part of China' "united front" tactics to try to obtain Taiwan's superior agricultural technology.
In addition, the preferential treatment could be suspended at any time as the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have not signed an agreement, he added.
Tai was speaking at a meeting convened by the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) legislative caucus, which is studying the feasibility of the nation's agricultural products making inroads into China under the framework of the WTO.
Tai expressed doubts about China's claimed intention of taking care of Taiwanese farmers, saying that the country leads most other nations in agricultural technology.
He said that if China obtains Taiwan's agricultural technology after contracting Taiwanese farmers to work in special zones opened for them in China, then Beijing might "turn from opening to controlling."
Bureau of Foreign Trade Director-General Huang Chih-peng (黃志鵬) said on the same occasion that the chances of China giving preferential treatment to Taiwan's agricultural products is minimal.
Huang said that in line with the rules of the WTO other member nation's have the right to request the same treatment if China gives tariff-free treatment to Taiwan's agricultural products.
He said the nation's agricultural products are highly competitive and that exports to the global market have grown since the country's WTO entry in January 2002 while exports to China have decreased in the same period. He said this illustrates that China has set up steep non-tariff barriers.
"Those who are considering making inroads into the [Chinese] market had better be on guard, " he said, adding that "if they decide to make inroads into China, they had better do so through legal channels to cut the risks to a minimum."
Fu Don-cheng (
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS