New Delhi, April 13 (NationPress) China's recent unveiling of 10 "incentive measures" for Taiwan has raised concerns about the potential intertwining of political and commercial interests. A new report indicates that this initiative may not mitigate the risks of abrupt trade restrictions.

According to the Taipei Times, these incentives—which encompass sales of Taiwanese agricultural and fishery products, investments in China, and the revival of travel to Taiwan—are accompanied by specific political conditions.

"These frameworks are not intended to promote acceptance but to exert pressure on the Taiwanese administration through exclusions," stated Hung Pu-chao, the deputy executive director of the Tunghai University Cross-Strait Research Center.

The announcement followed a meeting between Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Nationalist Party, and Xi Jinping, the president of China, as reported.

Typically, international trade protocols require only quarantine standards to be met for agricultural imports; however, China has introduced political stipulations, such as adherence to the so-called "1992 consensus" and the rejection of "Taiwanese independence," as pointed out by Yang Ming-hsien, a professor of international business at Feng Chia University.

The "1992 consensus" refers to a questionable agreement from 2000, allegedly made between the KMT and the Chinese government, which recognizes "One China," the report elaborated.

The new political conditions for the agreement suggest that the rejection of Taiwanese agricultural products by China is politically motivated, and there is a persistent risk of such arbitrary refusals.

Beijing may also require Taiwanese businesses to register in China, compelling them to invest or set up production facilities locally, Yang noted.

Moreover, the absence of an investment protection agreement between Taiwan and China leaves issues on labor recruitment, profit distribution, and stakeholder interests unresolved.

The professor emphasized the necessity for Taiwan's agricultural trade to diversify across various markets to mitigate these risks.

"The primary goal of China’s new policy is to create division within Taiwan by fostering a narrative that the government is blocking exchanges and stifling progress," the report quoted Hung.

The report suggested that China's approach attempts to establish a diplomatic channel that circumvents Taiwan's democratically elected government, creating the perception that any political entity willing to accept China's terms can facilitate cross-strait dialogue.

"If this perception gains traction internationally, it could undermine the Taiwanese government's representation and authority in cross-strait matters, posing a potential national security issue," he added.

Hung cautioned that infrastructural connections from China to Kinmen and Lienchiang (Matsu), along with deeper connectivity, could adversely affect Taiwan’s governance and security.

aar/na