China halts imports of thousands of food products from Taiwan in response to Pelosi’s visits
China halts imports of thousands of food products from Taiwan in response to Pelosi’s visits

China halts imports of thousands of food products from Taiwan in response to Pelosi’s visits

 

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Mainland China has suspended imports of thousands of food products from hundreds of Taiwanese companies and halted exports of natural sand to Taiwan, viewed as a move to punish it economically for a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Since Monday night, China’s General Administration of Customs has suspended imports of more than 2,000 of about 3,200 food products from Taiwan, according to information displayed on the website of the customs administration, which shows “imports suspended” for those Taiwanese companies due to failure to complete registration under new rules.

The imports Beijing has suspended now cover 35 categories including fish and seafood, edible oils, citrus fruits and biscuits and cakes, hitting publicly listed companies such as instant noodle and soy sauce producer Ve Wong and Chi Mei, which makes frozen foods.

“In the past, China hit single products from the primary sector such as specific fruit or fish and they kept the overall macroeconomic impact on Taiwan limited but could target regions where the Democratic Progressive party is strong,” said Chiu Chui-cheng, deputy chair of the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan’s cabinet-level China policy body. “But now they are broadening this immensely as they are targeting processed foods, that gives them enormous extortion powers.”

“This is probably only the beginning. We are certain that they will further step up their economic coercion measures.”

China’s Ministry of Customs said in two separate statements on Wednesday morning that China would halt imports of citrus fruit, white hairtail and frozen scad from Taiwan, and also suspend natural sand exports to Taiwan region, starting from Wednesday.

Taiwan imported 5.7mn metric tons of sand and gravel in 2020, with more than 90 per cent coming from China. Natural sand made up 8% of the total, according to government statistics. Taiwan has endured sand shortages in times of brisk economic growth, as it has sought to limit sand mining in its rivers to limit damage to the fragile environment.

China’s move came after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan late on Tuesday, in a visit which China said seriously damages peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

China’s foreign ministry said Pelosi’s visit severely impacts the political foundations of China-U.S. relations, and said it had lodged a strong protest with the United States.