China resumes Taiwanese fish imports in signal of financial thaw, to ‘promote wholesome cross-strait commerce’

A Taiwan Meals and Drug Administration spokesman, who didn’t need to be named as he’s not authorised to talk on document to the media, confirmed the bans had been lifted.

The bans final yr coincided with a go to to Taiwan by US former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which outraged Beijing and sparked days of army workouts close to the self-ruled island.

Beijing views self-ruled Taiwan as a part of China to be unified, by drive if needed. Nations which have diplomatic ties with Beijing, together with the US, acknowledge the existence of the one-China precept, which states Taiwan is a part of China. However they could not explicitly agree with it.

Washington doesn’t take a place on the standing of Taiwan, although it opposes any try to take the island by drive.

Mainland Chinese language officers have sought to ship an olive department to the Taiwanese public by repairing bilateral commerce ties earlier than Taiwan’s presidential election in January, which may set up a frontrunner who both favours easing cross-strait tensions or continues so as to add uncertainty to the area, analysts mentioned.

“I see [the lifting of the ban] as an general recreation plan to extend financial relations and people-to-people relations between mainland and Taiwan,” mentioned Joanna Lei, CEO of the Chunghua 21st Century suppose tank in Taiwan.

Mainland Chinese language officers have labored with their Taiwanese counterparts since December to reopen ferry routes and direct flights which have been halted because the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

They’ve additionally resumed imports of different items, together with Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor, made by 63 Taiwanese firms that have been blocked late final yr, with mainland Chinese language officers citing paperwork points.

Wednesday’s strikes exhibits a passion to provide Taiwanese individuals “advantageous information”, mentioned Huang Kwei-bo, an affiliate professor of diplomacy on the Nationwide Chengchi College in Taipei.

“I don’t know what number of merchandise they’ve banned, however we may anticipate they are going to be resumed,” he mentioned.

However the Taiwan Frozen Seafood Industries Affiliation, a Kaohsiung-based commerce group with 200 members, mentioned on Wednesday that mainland China had not solved “fundamental” import registration points involving different Taiwanese shippers.

Chinese language customs officers launched new rules on meals imports in 2021, with the modifications together with new registration, inspection and labelling necessities, leading to shipments of assorted items, together with beer, being suspended final yr.