A Chinese central government spokeswoman said on Wednesday that greater efforts will be made to boost cross-Strait economic exchanges so that more and more Taiwan agricultural and fishery producers can tap into the vast mainland market.
The mainland has traditionally been a major market for Taiwan farm produce. In 2019, the mainland was the largest export market for such produce, taking up a share of 22.9 percent of the island's total farm produce exports.
However, driven by a cross-Strait economic decoupling policy, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities intentionally abandoned the mainland market that is geographically close, connected by relatively short shipping routes, and capable of absorbing large volumes of seasonal produce.
Meanwhile, the mainland has never stopped trying to reconnect and promote agricultural exchanges across the Strait.
The mainland in April rolled out a package of 10 policies and measures to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. One of these measures aims to facilitate the entry of Taiwan agricultural and fishery products that meet quarantine requirements and supports their participation in mainland trade fairs to expand sales channels.
"In April of this year, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China authorized the release of 10 policy measures designed to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. On the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing Taiwan separatism, relevant parties on both sides of the Strait have worked together to translate these policies into action, helping more agricultural and fishery producers from the island expand into the mainland market and achieving positive results," said Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.
The spokeswoman said Taiwan's Wentan pomelos have been showcased at exhibitions across the mainland and are available for sale in supermarkets, farmers' markets, and on e-commerce platforms. During the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, even more of these pomelos will find their way into households across the mainland.
"Guided by the conviction that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of the same family, we will actively promote cross-Strait economic exchange and cooperation, and enable compatriots on both sides of the Strait to share the dividends of the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Strait relations," said Zhu.
Chinese mainland to continue boosting cross-Strait economic exchanges: spokeswoman
