China-Taiwan and China-US tensions are hitting new heights, resulting in a curb in the trade of commodities from the island to the People’s Republic starting Wednesday [August 3].
The news comes following the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Her arrival to the democratically-ruled island territory marks the first such visit from a high-profile elected US official in over 25 years.
Pelosi, who is second in line for the presidency, has ignited a “diplomatic firestorm” upon her visit to Taiwan which began late on Tuesday [August 2] despite firm warnings from China.
China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory and Greater China, has repeatedly expressed exasperation with the island’s friendly diplomacy with nations such as the United States, Japan, Australia, and India.
While official sanctions haven’t been levied, OERLive learns from China’s Customs Administration that it has suspended the trade of citrus fruits and fish imports from Taiwan over “repeated detection of excessive pesticide residue” and “positive Coronavirus tests” on packages.
These strict trade measures also included over 100 Taiwanese food brands for failing to renew their export registrations.
Chinese authorities also stated that they had halted the exports of sand on account of unspecified legal provisions, a “key material used in construction”, imports of Taiwanese citrus fruits and some types of fish.
Another report from the Taiwan Affairs Office in China separately announced that it would prohibit Mainland Chinese companies and individuals from financial dealings with two Taiwanese foundations – the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund.
As per Al Jazeera, China has been accused of using trade as a weapon in recent years, with Australia and Lithuania seeing their exports hit with tariffs and other restrictions after becoming embroiled in disputes with Beijing.
