Chinese state media outlet People’s Daily recently reported on comments made by a government spokesperson on the topic of measures that Beijing has taken to restrict trade with Taiwan. The below is from the People’s Daily report:
At the regular press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council (mainland China) on October 16th, a reporter asked: “The Ministry of Commerce recently announced that it would consider taking further measures based on the conclusions of the investigation into trade barriers with Taiwan. The Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council stated that ‘the mainland is using economic and trade relations as a political weapon to coerce Taiwan into complying with its political demands.’ What is your response to this?”
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, responded that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan have long unilaterally restricted a large number of products from the mainland, harming the interests of relevant industries and enterprises in the mainland. Since the final conclusions of the investigation into Taiwan’s trade barriers were released, the DPP authorities have not taken any actual steps to lift trade restrictions on the mainland. Instead, they have intensified efforts to obstruct normal economic and trade exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, harming the interests of mainland enterprises and the well-being of the people. The further measures being considered, based on the conclusions of the investigation into Taiwan’s trade barriers, are necessary actions in response to the DPP authorities’ obstinate and unrepentant behavior.
Chen Binhua further noted that the DPP authorities and “Taiwan independence” forces often label the mainland’s policies benefiting Taiwan as “United Front actions.” He emphasized that the united front has always been an important strategy of the Chinese Communist Party to win hearts and gather strength. In the new era, the CCP’s main task of the united front is to uphold broad unity and solidarity, continuously consolidate and develop the most extensive patriotic united front.
Source: People’s Daily, October 16, 2024
http://tw.people.com.cn/n1/2024/1016/c14657-40340652.html