Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued a statement Thursday expressing regret and discontent following reports that over 100 Taiwanese seafood companies have been unable to get permission to send their products to China.

“Taiwan would not speculate whether this is a politically motivated move,” the MAC said.

Earlier in the day, Council of Agriculture (COA) Deputy Minister Chen Junne-jih (???) said over 100 Taiwanese seafood exporters are currently unable to get permission to ship their products to China and that the affected products mainly include squid, Pacific saury and fourfinger threadfin.

Since June, China’s General Administration of Customs has gradually halted the import of grouper, largehead hairtail and horse mackerel from Taiwan, a ban which was later expanded to include products of multiple Taiwanese food brands.

The issue appears to be related to companies’ compliance with a new customs registration system the Chinese authorities introduced in April last year, Chen said.

Based on rules that took effect on Jan. 1 this year, China requires all food exporters from around the world to first register their products with the Chinese authorities.

According to the MAC, the above-mentioned measure has created trade barriers and sparked disputes with different countries.

Several countries, including Taiwan, have voiced concern to the World Trade Organization regarding the issue, it said, adding that the COA and the Ministry of Health and Welfare are currently helping Taiwanese exporters register with the Chinese authorities.

The MAC said Taiwan’s authorities were informed on Aug. 1 by China’s General Administration of Customs that all Taiwanese food exporters could submit further required documents to Chinese agencies before Aug. 31, and those who did so would be allowed to continue shipping their products to China before the deadline.

Currently, 178 Taiwan businesses have submitted additional documents as required by China, but no Chinese agencies have replied or made public their decisions following a review of those documents, which has severely impacted the interests of Taiwanese companies, the MAC said.

In cooperation with the health ministry, the COA has asked the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration to clarify the matter with Chinese authorities, it added.

The MAC called on the Chinese authorities to provide an explanation and resolve the problem as quickly as possible so as to ensure the rights and interests of Taiwanese businesses are protected.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel