Suspension of fruit shipments ‘justified’

Suspending shipments of sugar apples and wax apples from Taiwan is “scientific, reasonable and justified”, Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a news conference on Wednesday.

Chinese mainland customs had found pests and other harmful organisms multiple times this year on sugar apples and wax apples from Taiwan, posing great danger to a variety of fruits and crops, as well as the security of agriculture and forestry production, she said.

Mainland customs either returned the fruit or destroyed it according to regulations, and notified island authorities.

The General Administration of Customs has barred shipments of the fruits since Sept 20.

Zhu said mainland authorities had repeatedly informed parties in Taiwan about the problematic fruits since last year but the situation had not improved.

“In order to protect agricultural production, ecological safety and the interests of people, it is entirely reasonable and fully justified to suspend shipments of Taiwan fruits,” she added.

The island’s Democratic Progressive Party authorities have described the move as “political suppression” that “harmed the interests of Taiwan farmers”.

In response to that accusation, Zhu said the General Administration of Customs had reported 13 batches of unqualified sugar apples, with Taiwan giving responses but making no efforts to rectify the problems.

It has also reported six batches of wax apples, with Taiwan not giving any response.

“The DPP authorities should take responsibility for supervision, solve the problems and stop political manipulation,” she said.

Zhu said the mainland has always attached great importance to the welfare of Taiwan farmers and has taken measures to assist them in expanding their market on the mainland.

In March, the Taiwan Affairs Office, together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and 10 other departments, issued 22 measures to provide equal treatment and create more opportunities for Taiwan compatriots to participate in high-quality development and rural vitalization.

Zhu said the DPP authorities have no intention to solve the problem or consider the interests of Taiwan farmers.

“They will only further damage the vital interests of the people of Taiwan,” she said.