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Mainland China resumed imports of sugar apples from Taiwan from Tuesday, ending a ban that had been in place since 2021 and pushing aside political frictions.
It came after a meeting with mainland officials and a Taiwanese county magistrate and the vice-chairman of the island's opposition Kuomintang party over the weekend, with businesses in Taiwan pushing for further lifting of import bans imposed by Beijing, sources told the Post.
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council in Beijing confirmed the lifting of the ban after mainland China had cut off imports of the sweet fruit, that is also known as atemoya or custard apples, in September 2021.
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Mainland Chinese officials previously pointed to biosafety fears and possible pests, while Taiwan said the claims lacked "scientific proof".
Kuomintang party vice-chairman Andrew Hsia and Taitung county magistrate Rao Ching-ling had expressed a "strong wish" to resume the trade during the meeting over the weekend, said Taiwan Affairs Office spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian.
They have also "organised" farmers to improve quality to guarantee safety, added Zhu, while the fruit must come from "registered" orchards and packagers.
Mainland Chinese officials have been cutting imports of Taiwanese fruits and seafood over the past two years, tracking a downward spiral in cross-strait relations.
Beijing views the self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway territory that must be reunited, by force if necessary. Following a visit by former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island in August, mainland China banned imports of some Taiwanese products.
Import of pineapples and wax apples were banned in 2021, with citrus fruits also prohibited in August, although Beijing lifted a ban on Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor in January.
Sugar apples grow on 2,800 hectares (6,919 acres) in Taitung county, which lies in southeastern Taiwan, county figures showed.
A total of 4,355 tonnes were exported worldwide between December 2021 and April 2022, the data showed.
Sugar apples contribute 20 to 30 per cent of Taitung's economy per year.
The 15th Straits Forum kicked off in Xiamen on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua alt=The 15th Straits Forum kicked off in Xiamen on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua>
Taitung county magistrate Rao asked mainland Chinese officials at the 15th Straits Forum over the weekend about resuming fruit imports, including sugar apples and pineapples, said Joanna Lei, a former Taiwanese lawmaker who attended the event in Xiamen.