Beijing, May 31 (Xinhua) — Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on May 31 that we support the relevant competent authorities in taking further measures to suspend tariff concessions on some products under the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA).

　　The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council issued an announcement on May 31, deciding that, starting from June 15, 2024, the application of ECFA agreement tariff rates shall be suspended for 134 tariff lines of imported products originating in the Taiwan region.

　　Chen Binhua stated that for a long time, the Taiwan authorities have unilaterally imposed discriminatory trade restrictions on the export of more than 2,500 mainland products, violating the ECFA provision on "gradually reducing or eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers on substantially most trade in goods between the two sides," and harming the interests of enterprises and the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the strait. After the mainland announced on December 21, 2023 the suspension of tariff concessions on 12 tariff lines including propylene under the ECFA, the DPP authorities not only failed to take any measures to lift trade restrictions on the mainland, but also continued to intensify their efforts, obstructing and undermining normal cross-strait economic exchanges and cooperation. In view of this, we support the relevant competent authorities in taking further measures to suspend tariff concessions on some products under the ECFA.

　　Chen Binhua pointed out that the ECFA was signed by the two sides on the common political basis of the "1992 Consensus," and that problems arising during implementation can be properly resolved through cross-strait consultations. However, the Lai Ching-te authorities stubbornly adhere to the "Taiwan independence" position, refuse to recognize the "1992 Consensus," vigorously promote fallacies about "Taiwan independence" separatism, incite cross-strait confrontation and economic "decoupling and severing of supply chains," and seriously undermine the foundation for cross-strait consultations and the implementation of the ECFA. This is the fundamental reason why the relevant mainland authorities have no choice but to further suspend tariff concessions on some products under the ECFA. Facts have once again proven that pursuing "Taiwan independence" means no peace and no development; it will only bring disaster and harm to Taiwan and only damage the interests of Taiwan enterprises and the public.

　　Chen Binhua emphasized that we always respect, care for, and benefit our Taiwan compatriots, always maintain a positive attitude toward promoting cross-strait economic exchanges and cooperation, and will, as always, welcome and support Taiwan compatriots and enterprises to invest and develop on the mainland, be the first to share with them the development opportunities of Chinese modernization, provide them with more equal treatment, and continue to deepen cross-strait integrated development to bring more benefits to compatriots on both sides of the strait.