Progress made in resuming entry of Taiwan sugar apples to Chinese mainland

BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- As the sugar apple season draws near in Taiwan, concerned parties across the Taiwan Strait have been actively communicating to support the resumption of the entry of this fruit from Taiwan to the Chinese mainland.

The mainland, due to repeated instances of quarantine pests being detected in this fruit, suspended the entry of sugar apples from Taiwan in September 2021 to mitigate the risk of plant epidemics.

However, following a thorough assessment of relevant rectification measures undertaken by Taiwan's local fruit industry, the General Administration of Customs decided to resume the entry of sugar apples from the Taiwan region, starting on June 20, 2023.

Between Oct. 22 and 24, Taitung County Magistrate April Yao led a delegation to Beijing to listen to the opinions of relevant departments on enhancing the quality and safety of agricultural products from Taiwan.

The delegation also visited other locations, such as the integrated bonded area of Beijing Daxing International Airport and the Beijing Hualian Group, to conduct on-site inspections of the agricultural product supply chain, including logistics distribution, retail sales and e-commerce promotion.

While meeting with Yao and her delegation on Monday, Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the mainland is ready to strengthen economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation with various sectors in Taiwan, based on adherence to the 1992 Consensus and opposition to "Taiwan independence."

The mainland will continue to support Taiwan businesses in their investments in the mainland, enhance the well-being of Taiwan compatriots, and facilitate the return of cross-Strait relations to the path of peaceful development, Song added.

Noting sugar apple is a major agricultural product in Taitung County, Yao said that the county is committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with the mainland and making this exquisite fruit available to more consumers in the mainland.