Taiwanese official's forum appearance sparks cross-strait row

Taitung County Magistrate Rao Qingling's participation in the Straits Forum via a pre-recorded video has ignited controversy, with Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) considering an investigation for potential violations of cross-strait regulations. Rao's move to speak at the forum, ostensibly to advocate for local pineapple-釋迦 farmers, has been sharply criticized by former legislator Lai Kun-cheng.

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Taitung County Magistrate Rao Qingling's pre-recorded video statement at the Straits Forum has drawn scrutiny from Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) for potentially violating cross-strait regulations.

Lai accused Rao of employing an "8-year-old script," suggesting her actions were a political maneuver to appear as a defender of farmers. He pointed out that despite Rao's efforts, China continues to ban Taiwanese pineapple-釋迦 imports, citing mealybug quarantine concerns. Lai asserted that China's announcement to resume imports of pineapple-釋迦 and other agricultural products was a pre-scripted decision, independent of any specific actions by local officials at the forum, whether from the ruling or opposition parties.

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Taitung County Magistrate Rao Qingling's actions have been criticized by former legislator Lai Kun-cheng, who called it an "8-year-old script" to claim she is speaking for pineapple-釋迦 farmers, despite China's continued import bans on the fruit due to mealybugs.

"The China script has already been finalized, just like other items that were opened for import. Local leaders, regardless of party affiliation, did not take special actions during the Straits Forum, yet imports were still opened," Lai stated. He characterized Rao's participation as merely "cooperating with the performance" to create a desired image for China.

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The China script has already been finalized, just like other items that were opened for import. Local leaders, regardless of party affiliation, did not take special actions during the Straits Forum, yet imports were still opened.

Lai further elaborated on the economic challenges facing Taiwanese pineapple-釋迦. He noted that over 90% of Taitung's crop is exported to China and Hong Kong, creating a market dependency vulnerable to political and trade barriers. The fruit faces a significant 29% tariff on imports to China, coupled with low purchasing prices from traders, squeezing farmer profits. Moreover, Taiwanese farmers who were encouraged to cultivate in China under a past agreement now face lower production costs there, diminishing Taiwan's competitive edge. Lai concluded that relying on "politics" to solve these market issues is difficult, suggesting that a reduction in tariffs by China would be a more genuine gesture of goodwill than political posturing.

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Rao's participation was merely cooperating with the performance to create a desired image for China.