MOC's Taiwan tariff plan welcomed

A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Friday expressed support after the Ministry of Commerce announced recently that they will study the suspension or partial suspension of tariff preferences for Taiwan products under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the preliminary findings of the ministry's investigation into trade barriers with Taiwan indicate that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities unilaterally restrict the import of a large number of mainland products, which is suspected of violating World Trade Organization rules on non-discrimination and universal elimination of quantitative restrictions.

This has not only harmed mainland industries and businesses but also affected the interests of Taiwan consumers too, she said.

Enterprises and business associations from both sides of the Strait participating in the investigation have called on Taiwan to lift trade restrictions against the mainland as soon as possible, according to her.

In June 2010, based on the 1992 Consensus, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait signed ECFA, a special arrangement to promote normal cross-Strait economic relations, which has brought tangible benefits to both sides, especially to relevant businesses and people in Taiwan, Zhu said.

However, since the DPP authorities came to power, they have not only failed to take concrete measures to lift discriminatory trade restrictions against the mainland but have also intensified them. For example, in this investigation, 2,455 products were initially involved and it was later expanded to 2,509, according to her.

Based on the preliminary findings of the investigation into trade barriers with Taiwan, the trade restrictions imposed by the Taiwan authorities on the mainland do not comply with the requirements of the ECFA to promote the normal and free cross-Strait economic relations, Zhu said.

She said "We support the relevant authorities in studying the adoption of corresponding measures based on the investigation into trade barriers."