Cross-Strait fishery ties strengthened

Taiwan fishery operators expressed strong confidence in the Chinese mainland market at a ceremony held on Friday in Xiamen, Fujian province, the mainland's coastal gateway to Taiwan, marking a major step toward streamlining the entry of seafood products from the island.

Around 200 cross-Strait guests attended the event to witness the inauguration of a dedicated Taiwan fishery exhibition and sales center in Xiamen. It followed a recent trade initiative involving the introduction of about 350 metric tons of specialty Taiwan seafood, including grouper and threadfin.

The ceremony marked a milestone in cross-Strait fishery cooperation, driven by 10 measures introduced by the mainland in April to promote trade, travel and cultural exchanges. The measures followed a high-profile meeting between leaders of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Kuomintang.

Figures from mainland authorities showed that sales of fishery products from Taiwan rose 35.5 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of this year.

Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at the event that on the political basis of adhering to the 1992 Consensus — which embodies the one-China principle — both sides of the Taiwan Strait had continued to promote the implementation of the 10 measures and achieved positive progress.

Song said that joint efforts could fully address the challenges faced by Taiwan fishermen, open up new pathways, secure their livelihoods and improve their overall well-being.

He expressed hope that Taiwan compatriots would resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference, and work together with their mainland counterparts to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, while promoting the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Strait relations.

Chang Jung-kung, vice-chairman of the KMT, said that exporting seafood to the mainland improved the well-being of grassroots fishers in Taiwan while offering mainland consumers more choices.

This mutually beneficial cooperation has enabled compatriots on both sides to improve their standard of living, he said, adding that the KMT remained committed to collaborating with all sectors to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Han Ying-huan, chairman of the Taiwan Businessmen Association in Xiamen, said: "We hope to take this chance to market Taiwan's fine aquatic products to the Chinese mainland for compatriots here to enjoy and advance cross-Strait exchanges."

Hsieh Lung-yin, chairman of the Fishermen's Association in Taiwan, said that compatriots on both sides are one family, and that these measures fully reflected care for the well-being of Taiwan's grassroots fishers.

"Xiamen is like a second home to me, as I first came here over 30 years ago to sell squid," Hsieh said. "We are deeply grateful that the mainland has streamlined import formalities and given us the green light, and the entire process is now running smoothly."

A green channel for Taiwan fishery products was established in Xiamen in August. Through advance declarations and scheduled customs clearance, the processing time at the port for fresh Taiwan seafood was reduced to less than two hours.

Chen Jinlai, deputy chief of the Gaoqi border inspection station in Xiamen, said that dedicated channels and online preclearance enable Taiwan vessels to start unloading as soon as they arrive.

"This ensures that fish products move from the vessel to the dining table as quickly as possible, preserving their freshness and market value," he said.