Taiwan’s FM condemns ‘hostile’ fruit import ban from China

Taiwan’s overseas minister mentioned Sunday {that a} new tropical fruit import ban by China was a “hostile move”, amid souring relations between the 2 governments.
Chinese customs authorities introduced earlier Saturday that they’d cease the import of custard and wax apples from Taiwan, citing pest considerations.
“Following a series of military threats, the (hash)PRC is weaponizing trade by announcing an immediate ban on (hash)Taiwan’s custard & wax apples,” Taiwanese overseas minister Joseph Wu mentioned on Twitter, referring to the mainland People’s Republic of China by its widespread acronym.
He added that the commerce ban was a “hostile move” that violates worldwide commerce norms.
China has just lately hardened its stance towards Taiwan, which it views as a renegade province that must be united with the mainland.
The Chinese General Administration of Customs mentioned in its assertion that it detected pests known as Planococcus minor _ generally referred to as the citrus mealybug _ in imports of Taiwanese custard and wax apples.
The assertion mentioned that suspending the import of the 2 fruits was “to prevent the risk of plant epidemics.” The mealybugs are likely to feed on all kinds of agricultural crops and will have an effect on yield and fruit high quality.
In a information convention Sunday, Taiwan’s agriculture minister Chen Chi-chung mentioned that Taiwanese authorities have urged Beijing to offer scientific proof for its ban.
“`We cannot accept this,” mentioned Chen.
If China doesn’t reply to Taiwan’s request for a decision below the present bilateral framework by Sept. 30, Taiwan will take the problem to the World Trade Organization for dispute decision, Chen mentioned.
China is the most important importer of Taiwan’s agricultural merchandise, and imported over $1 billion price of agricultural items final yr, in accordance with authorities knowledge.

China in February banned imports of pineapples from Taiwan over comparable considerations, and Taiwan on the time additionally protested what it mentioned was a violation of world commerce guidelines. Since the ban, Taiwan’s pineapple exports to Japan have surged greater than eightfold.
Chinese relations with Taiwan have soured for the reason that election of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who’s from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party which advocates Taiwan’s formal independence.
Beijing has reduce ties with Tsai’s authorities over her refusal to simply accept its demand that she acknowledge the island as part of China to be unified with it will definitely below the “one country, two systems” coverage enacted in Hong Kong.