Mainland reiterates support for Taiwan's agricultural exports

The mainland has consistently been a crucial export destination for Taiwan's agricultural products and has implemented measures to assist Taiwan's farmers and fishermen in expanding sales and stabilizing incomes, Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, stated on Thursday.

Zhu made these remarks at a regular news conference in response to claims by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te that the mainland had "weaponized" agricultural products to exert political pressure on Taiwan, including by banning imports or raising tariffs. Lai also noted that the United States and Japan have become Taiwan's top two export markets for agricultural products.

Zhu rejected these claims, asserting that the mainland has adhered to the idea that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family and has made efforts to support Taiwan compatriots by solving difficulties and helping Taiwan's agricultural and fishery products find outlets in the mainland market.

The mainland has taken a series of measures to help Taiwan's farmers and fishermen expand their presence in the mainland market, broaden sales channels, and stabilize incomes, allowing more of them to share in the benefits of Chinese modernization and improve their livelihoods, she said.

In contrast, Zhu criticized the Democratic Progressive Party authorities for restricting more than 1,000 mainland agricultural products from entering Taiwan, obstructing normal cross-Strait trade and exchanges, and threatening to punish county and city leaders, as well as agricultural and fishery associations, that actively promote Taiwan products to the mainland.

She also accused the DPP authorities of damaging Taiwan's core industries and public interests by offering "zero tariffs" on 4,885 industrial products and 1,482 agricultural products from the United States.

Taiwan's farmers and fishermen are well aware of who is genuinely helping them gain benefits and who is obstructing their interests, Zhu said. Grassroots business operators on the island are deeply worried and angry that the DPP authorities not only fail to solve practical problems for farmers and fishermen but also obstruct cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation while sacrificing local industries and livelihoods to appease external forces, she said.

Zhu urged the DPP authorities to cease political manipulation and focus on actions that benefit the interests and well-being of the people in Taiwan.