Taiwan welcomes the lifting of an import ban on pomelos by China, but when Beijing uses the move to create division, it does not help promote mutual trust nor boost trade, President William Lai (賴清德) said at the weekly meeting of the Democratic Progressive Party’s Central Standing Committee (DPP) yesterday.
Lai was referring to a statement last week by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office giving the go-ahead for imports of Taiwanese pomelos, the main fruit associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Tuesday next week.
Although the move is welcome, China would only allow imports from 16 pomelo producers in Hualien County, DPP spokeswoman Han Ying (韓瑩) quoted Lai as saying
Photo: Tu Chien-rong, Taipei Times
China imposed a ban on Taiwanese citrus fruits, including pomelos, in August 2022.
Moreover, China did not follow the conditions set by both sides in the past, including that the products go through a certified platform for inspection and quarantine, that the Taiwanese government agency in charge of agricultural products be consulted first, that a communication platform be set up, and that inspections and testings be based on scientific criteria, Lai said.
Taiwan wants progress on cross-strait relations, but it must be done on the condition of “mutual respect” and “equal status,” he said.
However, “China is using specific trade or businesses to create division in society,” Lai said. “This would have a negative effect on establishing mutual respect. Neither would it promote regional stability and economic prosperity.”
Lai also welcomed the US House of Representatives unanimously passing the Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act, which aims to disincentivize Chinese aggression toward Taiwan by cutting Chinese leaders and their family members off from the US financial system if Beijing takes hostile military action against Taiwan.
The democratic alliance of nations supports each other against authoritarian states, and Taiwan will strive to continue to contribute to peace, prosperity and democracy around the world, and to ensure regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region, Lai said.
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