Mainland to expand market access for Taiwan farm and fishery products

BEIJING -- The Chinese mainland will continue implementing the 10 measures issued in April to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, including helping Taiwan's farmers and fishermen expand sales on the mainland, a spokesman said on Wednesday.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular news conference that the measures, announced on April 12, had helped widen distribution channels for Taiwan's pomelos, custard apples and other agricultural products.

The efforts are based on adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," which aim to improve the livelihoods of Taiwan people, Chen said.

In mid-October, about 350 metric tons of Taiwan's signature seafood had arrived in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, Chen said. Shortly after, a Taiwan fishery products exhibition and sales center opened, alongside a cross-Strait seafood market and a fishery culture exhibition.

The mainland has long been an important export market for Taiwan's seafood, which is popular with mainland consumers given similar dietary habits on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, he said. Future efforts will continue to see Taiwan's agricultural, fishery and other quality products reach consumers on the mainland.

Chen said the mainland had also responded to concerns among Taiwan's fishing communities by organizing business-matching and signing events, streamlining customs procedures and supporting participation in trade fairs.

In the first three quarters of this year, mainland imports of agricultural products from Taiwan rose 18.5 percent year on year, while fishery product imports increased 35.5 percent, he said.

From April to September, Fujian imported 19,100 tons of fishery products from Taiwan, with a total value of 585 million yuan (about $87 million), up 35.9 percent year on year.

The mainland will continue to share development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots and assist in addressing practical difficulties, Chen said.

The goal is to enable people on both sides of the Strait to gain greater benefits from cross-Strait economic and trade cooperation and integrated development and enjoy better lives, he added.