The Chinese government has declared its decision to resume the import of grouper fish from Taiwan, effective from Friday, a move that comes just a day after causing dissatisfaction in Taipei by discontinuing tariff cuts on certain chemical imports, notably less than a month before the upcoming Taiwanese elections.
In June of the previous year, China had initially imposed a ban on grouper imports from Taiwan, citing the detection of prohibited chemicals, an accusation vehemently denied by Taiwan. This prohibition was part of a broader restriction on Taiwanese food imports, causing significant discontent within the government of the Chinese-claimed island.
The Taiwan Affairs Office of China stated that representatives from Taiwanese industries had visited China, providing necessary "rectification" information. Consequently, approved companies can now resume the export of grouper fish. The statement, carried out by China's official Xinhua news agency, expressed the willingness to collaborate with relevant parties on the island, emphasizing ongoing support for the resumption of Taiwan's agricultural and fishing product imports into mainland China.
China has recently eased some of its import bans on Taiwanese produce, including pineapples, sugar apples, and wax apples, citing concerns related to pests.
However, on Thursday, Taiwan accused China of engaging in economic coercion and interfering with the election process after Beijing announced the termination of tariff reductions on specific chemical imports from the island, citing alleged violations of a trade agreement by Taipei. These developments occur as Taiwan gears up for its presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13, a period during which China has been exerting pressure on Taiwan to acknowledge Chinese sovereignty claims. The Taiwanese government, particularly the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has consistently asserted that China is attempting to influence the election outcome through military or economic means to align with Beijing's preferences.
