Taiwan official clarifies 'China-dependent' pineapple soursop remarks

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh has sought to clarify his recent remarks, which sparked controversy regarding pineapple soursop and its relationship with China. Liang's initial statement suggested that Taiwanese people "almost don't eat" the fruit and that it is "completely dependent on the nose of the Chinese Communist Party."

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Pineapple soursop is a farm product that Taiwanese people almost don't eat and is completely dependent on the nose of the Chinese Communist Party.

Addressing the backlash, Liang emphasized that his primary intention was to draw attention to a critical issue facing the fruit's market: insufficient domestic consumption. He explained that the core problem lies in the lack of local demand, which forces reliance on external markets, particularly mainland China.

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His original intention was that the fundamental problem of pineapple soursop is insufficient domestic consumption.

Liang downplayed the personal criticism he has faced, stating that "being personally scolded is insignificant." He stressed that his focus remains on addressing the fundamental challenge of boosting domestic consumption for pineapple soursop. The deputy minister's clarification aims to shift the focus from his controversial phrasing to the underlying agricultural and economic concerns impacting Taiwanese farmers.

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Being personally scolded is insignificant.