Taiwan voices ‘regret, dissatisfaction’ as China blocks more seafood exports
- China’s General Administration of Customs has barred shipments of squid, Pacific saury, fourfinger threadfin and possibly other species, Taipei says
- Exports of natural sand, citrus fruits, chilled white scallops and frozen mackerel were suspended after the visit to Taipei in August by US House speaker Nancy Pelosi
Taiwan has expressed “regret and dissatisfaction” amid claims from officials that mainland China has effectively blocked around 100 seafood exporters from shipping a variety of aquatic products, including different types of fish, in a new blow to trade ties.
Council of Agriculture deputy minister Chen Junne-jih told reporters in Taipei on Thursday that China’s General Administration of Customs had barred shipments of squid, Pacific saury, fourfinger threadfin and possibly other species.
Chinese customs officials introduced new regulations on food imports last year and Chen Junne-jih alledges officials have not approved documentation filed by the exporters as requested in April 2021.
The changes included new registration, inspection and labelling requirements, but despite Taiwanese exporters filing 178 applications before the August 31 deadline, Chen Junne-jih said just one exporter had been approved.
The council expresses regret and dissatisfaction with mainland China Customs’ suspension of the export of our aquatic products, without warning over this registration case
“China hasn’t made any statements or decisions on the applications filed by our businesses,” the Taiwan government’s Mainland Affairs Council said on Friday.