Original title: “Cross-Strait trade dependence continues to deepen”! Taiwan’s exports to the mainland hit a new high
[环球时报特约记者 张天行]The DPP authorities continue to play the “anti-China card,” but the statistics speak for themselves, and cross-strait economic and trade ties are deepening.
According to Taiwan’s “Economic Daily” report on the 8th, data released by the General Administration of Customs of China on the 7th showed that the total value of imports and exports from the mainland to Taiwan reached 266.29 billion US dollars in the first 10 months of 2021, an annual increase of 27.8%. Among them, exports were 63.44 billion U.S. dollars, an annual increase of 31.7%; imports were 202.84 billion U.S. dollars, an annual increase of 26.6%, and the trade deficit with Taiwan this year reached 139.4 billion U.S. dollars. In terms of import and export, according to the statistics of the first nine months of Taiwan Customs statistics, Taiwan’s exports to the mainland and Hong Kong have increased for 20 consecutive months, and the scale of exports to dry ports, the United States, Japan, Europe, and ASEAN have all reached a new level. New highs over the same period. “China Times” stated on the 8th that although the DPP authorities have been committed to promoting a “new southward” since taking office in 2016, hoping to diversify the export market, the mainland and Hong Kong accounted for 40.1% of Taiwan’s total exports in 2016 and this year. It has increased to 42.7% in the first nine months, and “cross-strait trade dependence continues to deepen.”
Some analysts say that cross-strait trade is mainly operated under the global industrial division of labor system. The mainland’s booming exports will naturally drive Taiwan’s exports to the mainland to follow the trend. Even under the new crown pneumonia epidemic, cross-strait economic and trade continued to maintain strong growth. Contrary to the “Taiwan’s economy does not need the mainland” proclaimed by the DPP authorities, the island continues to benefit from the development of the mainland. Last year, Taiwan’s trade dependence on the mainland’s exports reached 43.8%, the highest in history, higher than the 39%-40% during the Ma Ying-jeou period. Some Taiwan media commented that after Tsai Ing-wen came to power, he promoted the so-called “new southward”, but the result was more and more “westward”. Taiwan’s economic growth should be thanked by many people. If it were not for the mainland’s effective control of the epidemic, where would Taiwan’s economic development come from? And trade growth?
Next, both sides of the strait must face the issue of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). On the 8th, Taiwan’s “Legislative Yuan” invited the “Ministry of Foreign Affairs”, “National Security Bureau” and other units to report on “promoting Taiwan’s progress in joining the CPTPP, assessment of industrial impacts and countermeasures.” The report submitted by the “Executive Yuan Economic and Trade Negotiation Office” stated that Taiwan submitted a written application letter to New Zealand, the depositor of the CPTPP agreement, on September 22 this year. The CPTPP is currently urging Brunei, Chile, and Malaysia to complete the domestic procedures and the United Kingdom’s membership. In order to give priority to work, economies that intend to join are encouraged to have informal discussions with existing members before making formal applications. According to the report, since CPTPP members’ trade with Taiwan accounts for more than 24% of Taiwan’s total foreign trade, and Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam are Taiwan’s top 10 trading partners, “the current internal part has been effective, and the next stage of work is focused To lobby outside”. “Deputy Director of the National Security Bureau” Chen Jinguang said on the 8th that among the 11 members of the CPTPP, Vietnam and Canada have reservations about Taiwan’s accession. Countries such as New Zealand, Peru and Brunei have not yet publicly stated their positions. In the future, they will continue to pay attention to their positions on Taiwan’s accession. The “National Security Bureau” particularly emphasized that it will pay close attention to the mainland’s measures to “block” Taiwan’s accession, and raise early warnings in real time.
Although the United States is not a member of the CPTPP, the DPP authorities continue to hype the “anti-League pig (American pig with clenbuterol) referendum” and it is closely related to joining the CPTPP. Taiwan’s “Executive President” Su Zhenchang claimed that anti-Laiyan pigs are anti-American pigs and will affect Taiwan’s entry into CPTPP. Yang Zhenni, deputy chief negotiator of Taiwan’s “Executive Yuan Economic and Trade Negotiation Office”, said on the 8th that opening up pigs is a promise that Taiwan has agreed to abide by international norms and scientific evidence. If even this promise is overturned, CPTPP members will worry about Taiwan’s future actions. “I believe that Taiwan (joining the CPTPP) will face great challenges.”
Taipei Mayor Ke Wenzhe said bluntly that such remarks are misleading. CPTPP is now dominated by Japan and “the biggest problem is Fukushima nuclear food.” Chen Yixin, an honorary professor of Tamkang University, wrote an article on the 8th that Tsai Ing-wen used the term “beautiful pig” instead of “lai pig” in an attempt to confuse political parties, groups and people that oppose pigs with lean meat as “anti-American elements.” . Su Zhenchang has repeatedly lied in the “Legislative Yuan” that if Laizhu is not open, how can he enter CPTPP? It has been publicly slapped in the face by a sturdy “Foreign Ministry” official. In disrespect of the referendum result, Tsai Ing-wen also has a criminal record. In 2018, both the “nuclear referendum” and the “anti-same marriage referendum” passed, but Tsai Ing-wen just ignored it and continued to promote the policy of “non-nuclear homeland” and gay marriage. As a result, she was regarded by many as a “rogue”. The article stated that the actions of the Tsai Ing-wen authorities fully demonstrated that the DPP did not have much confidence or confidence in the results of the “Four Referendums” on December 18. The current argument is to leave room for itself to disrespect the results of the referendum.
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