Following China's suspension of imports of Taiwanese pineapples, there is a growing movement in Taiwan to support producers, and sales are growing at supermarkets and other places.
Chinese authorities have stopped importing Taiwanese pineapples since March 1st, alleging that pests have been detected.
Since the Taiwanese authorities strengthened their countermeasures in October last year, they have been increasing their opposition, saying that no pests have been detected.
When the decision to suspend imports was announced, Taiwanese authorities, led by President Tsai Ing-wen, called on businesses and consumers to increase pineapple purchases and support farmers, and in less than a week, China last year for a year. It means that there was a purchase reservation of about 40,000 tons, which is equivalent to the amount of export to.
The supermarket, which has three stores in Taipei, has set up a pineapple sales floor in a prominent place near the entrance since last week, and the purchase volume and sales volume are about twice as much as last year.
“We put pineapples in the best and most prominent places to support Taiwanese farmers. They sell out as soon as they are purchased,” said Luo Dae Tae, senior manager of this supermarket.
Visitors said, "Taiwan's pineapples are world-famous, but I think it's very strange to be pressured, so we'll support them." I just bought it, but I'll buy two today too. "
Japan, USA and Canada also support with SNS
Representative agencies in the United States and Canada in Taiwan, as well as Japanese window agencies, have expressed their support for the move to buy and support Taiwanese pineapples.
Of these, the American representative organization "American Association of Taiwan" has posted a photo on Facebook of the representative holding a pineapple sent from a production area in the south with a smile.
At the same time, in Chinese and English, a message such as "Taiwan's high quality pineapple has arrived. I want to share this wonderful gift with my friends" was added, and the conclusion has become a hot topic on SNS. I use the phrase "Did you pineapple today?"
A Canadian representative has also posted a photo on Facebook introducing a pizza with pineapple cut by its staff and has a hashtag of "#FreedomPineapples," which means "freedom of pineapple."
In addition, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, which is the contact agency in Japan, also shows solidarity on Facebook, and Hiroyasu Izumi has posted a picture of eating pineapple from Taiwan with the staff and a comment that conveys its deliciousness.
The next day, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen wrote in Japanese on Twitter, "Thank you to all the Japanese people for supporting Taiwanese pineapples."
Expert "Pressure on Taiwan is counterproductive"
Professor Ichiro Kobuki of Kanda University of International Studies, who is familiar with the situation in China and Taiwan, said that the suspension of imports was a pressure on Taiwan by China.
Professor Kobuki pointed out that China once restricted imports of food and agricultural products from each country even when relations with Canada and Australia deteriorated.
He added, "China is trying to use the economy to drive political change. By influencing its business, it is trying to create public opinion that it is better to talk to China," he said, aiming to put pressure on Taiwan. I showed the view that it was.
Regarding the reason why pineapple was targeted this time, Professor Kobuki said, "The southern part of Taiwan, which is the production area, is the support base of the ruling party and the Kuomintang party of President Tsai Ing-wen, and for China, the Cai administration by giving an economic blow to it. I would like to weaken the situation and make the opposition Kuomintang think better. "
He also pointed out that China is nervous about the way the United States is going to strengthen relations with Taiwan. "China is most reluctant to keep the Biden administration involved in Taiwan as well as the former Trump administration. In this case, the United States has begun to support Taiwan immediately, but China is very cautious because the Biden administration's Taiwan policy is not yet fully visible. "
On top of that, Professor Kobuki said, "China is trying to use the economy to move politics, but it has caused a backlash in each country, and this time, the backlash against China has become stronger in Taiwan, which is counterproductive. Without correction, China will become more and more diplomatically isolated. "
US-China deepening conflict over Taiwan
The conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan has intensified since the previous administration of Trump.
The former Trump administration in the United States sent the then Secretary of Health and Welfare to Taiwan as the highest-ranking government official since the 1979 diplomatic relations last August.
Under the former administration of Trump, the frequency of U.S. Navy vessels passing through the Taiwan Strait increased, and relations with Taiwan were strengthened by confirming the policy of deepening cooperation in high-tech fields such as the next-generation communication standard "5G". I did.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference held on March 7 at the National People's Congress, "The new administration of the United States is fully aware of the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, and it is like the previous administration. I urge you to change the dangerous way of playing with fire and deal with the Taiwan issue carefully, "he said, urging the Biden administration to review Taiwan's policies during the pre-Trump administration.
However, the United States has not changed its stance of emphasizing Taiwan, such as inviting the top of the representative body of the Taiwanese authorities to the inauguration ceremony of President Biden.
Saki, a spokesman for the White House, emphasized at a press conference on the 8th, "We will continue to support Taiwan to maintain the capabilities necessary for self-defense. Our position will not change." And China's confrontation continues even after the Biden administration.