Mainland resumes import of Wendan pomelos from Taiwan

The General Administration of Customs announced to resume the import of Wendan pomelo from Taiwan starting Monday.

The GAC suspended the import of citrus fruits from Taiwan, including Wendan pomelos, to the mainland starting from Aug 3, 2022, due to the detection of quarantine pests and other unqualified situations in such fruits.

After a comprehensive assessment of the correction measures taken by Taiwan fruit farmers, it has been decided to resume the import of Taiwan Wendan pomelos to the mainland, the GAC said.

It noted that Wendan pomelos imported to the mainland must come from registered orchards and packaging factories, and the list of relevant companies has been published on the GAC's website.

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, stated that the previous suspension of citrus fruits from Taiwan was based on considerations of safeguarding biological security and the health of mainland consumers.

For some time, individuals such as Fu Kun-chi, an official of the Chinese Kuomintang, and authorities from Hualien county in Taiwan have expressed a strong desire to resume the import of Wendan pomelos to the mainland, he said.

They have organized businesses to make improvements, enhance product quality, in order to ensure the safety of Wendan pomelos exported to the mainland. Recently, Hualien county has provided some businesses with rectification information, Chen said, adding that the decision to resume the import of Taiwan Wendan pomelos was also made after a comprehensive evaluation.

Guided by the conviction that "we are all of the same family", the mainland is willing to engage with relevant parties in Taiwan to discuss matters related to the import of Taiwan's agricultural products to the mainland, for the benefit and well-being of Taiwan compatriots, especially grassroots communities, he said.