The feud between Taiwan and China reached pineapples after Beijing banned the import of fruits from the island in late February due to the presence of pests. This is reported by Taiwan News.
As a result, the Taiwanese authorities declared a violation of the rules of international trade and decided to allocate $ 36 million to support Taiwanese farmers. The country also announced a campaign that is still ongoing: local residents are encouraged to eat as many pineapples as possible.
The publication notes that in four days, local companies and citizens made up for the potential deficit in sales by purchasing fruits for the annual volume of exports to China. In 2020, the PRC mainland accounted for 97 percent of Taiwan’s pineapple exports.
In addition, Japan has already become the largest importer of pineapples from Taiwan. According to the head of the Agricultural Affairs Council of the island, Chen Jizhong, the Japanese side ordered a record 5,000 tons of Taiwanese pineapples.
Taiwan is prevented from declaring independence by the threat of a Chinese invasion – China considers unification with Taiwan to be its “fundamental interest.” In March 2005, China passed a law on the use of military force against the island if independence is declared there. At the same time, it contains vague wording: a decision will be made if all other possibilities are exhausted.
Beijing has not controlled Taiwan since 1949, when, after losing the civil war, the Communists fled there and introduced the Kuomintang party. At the same time, the PRC continues to consider the island its part.