CHINESE mainland announced Wednesday that it will stop implementing the policies of exempting import tariffs on 34 agricultural products originating in Taiwan starting from Sept. 25. The agricultural products include fresh fruits, vegetables and aquatic products, said a statement from the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council. Import tariffs on such agricultural products shall be implemented in accordance with relevant existing provisions, said the commission. Bans, restrictions and other discriminatory measures imposed unilaterally by the Taiwan region on the export of mainland products have severely hindered cross-Strait economic and trade cooperation, it said. The “Taiwan independence” stance and provocative actions of Taiwan authorities, led by Lai Ching-te, are to blame for the mainland’s decision to cancel its zero-tariff policies for certain products from Taiwan, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office. Initially in 2005 and again in 2007, the mainland, guided by the conviction that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of the same family, exempted import tariffs on a total of 34 agricultural products originating in Taiwan, according to Chen. This effectively helped relevant products expand their markets on the mainland, bringing tangible benefits to workers in the island’s agriculture and fishery industries, he said. However, since Lai took office as the island’s leader, the Taiwan authorities have obstinately adhered to a “Taiwan independence” stance, making continuous provocations to seek “independence,” escalating cross-Strait hostility, and obstructing exchange and cooperation. They continue to unilaterally restrict imports of over 1,000 agricultural product types from the mainland, Chen said. “We always respect, care for, and are committed to bringing benefits to our compatriots in Taiwan,” Chen said, adding that the mainland will continue to welcome and support farmers and compatriots from Taiwan to develop on the mainland.(Xinhua) | 