China bans the import of further fruit from Taiwan

President Caj Ing-wen criticised this step in harsh words and announced that farmers would receive justice.

The PRC Regulation prohibiting imports of two Taiwanese fruit, hats and sugar apples is due to enter into force on Monday. The Taiwanese side was informed of the ban just one day before its introduction. As the President of Taiwan pointed out, taking such a step without due notice is a serious violation of international trade rules. President Caj also compared this decision to the imposition by the PRC of high tariffs on Australian wines or Lithuanian agricultural products, suggesting Beijing's political motives.

Last November, China imposed high anti-dumping duties on wine imported from Australia. The government in Canberra combined these activities with an increasing diplomatic and political dispute between the two countries. In recent weeks China has also suspended import permits for certain products from Lithuania, after the Vilnius government announced that it is planning to open its facility in Taiwan and Taiwan its own facility in Lithuania.

Caj Ing-wen in social media criticized Beijing's decision and pointed out that "this is not the first time China has unilaterally broken international trade rules. Concerning pineapple, the February incident of this year is still fresh in everyone's memory (citizens – PAP). Such sudden offensive is apparently not motivated by commercial considerations."

President Caj thus referred to the ban on importing Taiwanese pineapples which China introduced in February of that year. This decision then sparked criticism from the government and launched the #Freedompineapple movement nationwide ("freedom pineapples" – PAP), which consisted of buying out pineapples by citizens and Taiwan's allies to help local farmers affected by the ban.

As they explained in February and now explained by China, the reason for the sudden decision is to be "harmful creatures" which were in imported fruit, and according to the Chinese side may threaten local agriculture. According to the information provided by the Taiwanese party, during the first half of this year, the GOC informed of 19 consignments containing pests, indicating that the Chinese party had not provided any evidence to support this claim. Furthermore, no other incident was reported in July and August after Taiwan in response introduced stricter regulations for exports of these products.

According to the information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, as many as 90% of the sugar apples and hats for export went to China, which accounted for 23% and 10% of the total production of these fruits respectively.

As Minister Chen announced, special aid schemes are planned for affected farmers, including financial grants. Chen also pointed out that the Taiwanese side would give China until the end of September to explain its decision and, in the absence of a reply, announced a complaint to the World Trade Organisation.

Written by Aleksandra Bielakowska/PAP