China rebukes Taiwan's accusation of 'economic coercion'

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) — China on Wednesday rejected Taiwan's claim of "economic coercion," instead charging the ruling party of the self-ruled island nation with "harming" the interests of its residents.

"As of now, over 1,000 agricultural products from the Chinese mainland are still unilaterally restricted from being imported into Taiwan," said Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing.

However, Zhu said the pursuit of a "Taiwan independence secession" by ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) "seriously harms the interests of compatriots on both sides of the Straits," referring to the Taiwan Strait which divides the island with mainland China.

Beijing's reaction came after Taiwan accused China early this month of "weaponizing" trade.

China had announced an end to tariff exemptions on 34 agricultural and aquaculture products from Taiwan, which will take effect from Sept. 25.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council criticized Beijing and said it was using preferential measures as tools of "

"This only leads to resentment among Taiwan's farmers, fishermen and the general public, and does not contribute to the long-term development of cross-strait relations," the council had said.

Zhu also slammed the DPP for hiking its media budget, a move she said "exposes their attempt to manipulate public opinion."

"Through their nurtured online forces, they stir up trouble on the internet, suppress dissent, divide society and create 'green terror,' leaving the public fearful and causing chaos," Zhu said.

China considers Taiwan its "breakaway province," while Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949.