Taiwan has acknowledged the removal of China's import restriction on pomelos, a significant development given the fruit's association with the Mid-Autumn Festival. However, President William Lai expressed concerns at the Democratic Progressive Party's meeting, highlighting that the selective permission for imports from only 16 producers in Hualien County might not foster the intended mutual trust or enhance trade relations. The ban on Taiwanese citrus, including pomelos, was initially imposed by China in August 2022.
Lai pointed out that the recent move deviates from previously agreed conditions, such as mandatory inspections through a certified platform and consultations with Taiwanese agricultural authorities, emphasizing the importance of scientific criteria in such processes. He underscored the necessity of mutual respect and equal status for progress in cross-strait relations, critiquing China's approach of using trade to sow societal division, which could undermine regional stability and economic prosperity. Additionally, Lai welcomed the US House of Representatives' passage of the Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act, viewing it as a sign of international support for Taiwan amidst pressures from authoritarian regimes, and reaffirmed Taiwan's commitment to contributing to global peace, prosperity, and democracy.
Source: Taipei Times