Chinese mainland market open to Taiwan: Official

The Chinese mainland has opened up its market to Taiwan enterprises and commodities in an all-round way, while the Taiwan authorities have been placing barriers against mainland enterprises and commodities, a top mainland official said in Beijing Wednesday.

The Taiwan authorities prevent mainland enterprises from going to Taiwan to sell their fine, popular goods and to invest or set up business agencies, said Li Weiyi, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, or the Chinese central government, at a regular press conference.

"Does the practice conform to the rules of the World Trade Organization? And do the Taiwan authorities feel in the wrong for that?" he said.

When asked about the Chinese mainland's recent rejection of an application submitted by the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation (TTL) for registering "Taiwan Beer" as a trademark, Li said that the application violates regulations of the trademark law of the Chinese mainland.

"If the TTL holds different opinions to this ruling, it can apply for review according to law," Li said.

The Chinese mainland will continue as always to encourage Taiwan compatriots to invest on the Chinese mainland, provide support and service for them, and protect their legitimate rights and interests according to law, he said. "The economic and trade cooperation across the straits is conducive to the fundamental interests of the compatriots on both sides."

"But the very few people who stubbornly adhere to the stance of 'Taiwan independence' and openly support such separatist activities, we don't welcome," he stressed.

When asked about some Taiwan business people's claim on tax inspection, Li said that it is a lawful duty for the mainland taxation authorities to carry out tax inspection, and they treat all enterprises equally---local enterprises, Taiwan enterprises, or foreign-funded enterprises.

"Some celebrities on the Chinese mainland were punished just because they violated laws on tax issues," Li said. "Some people make a fuss about tax inspection in a biased and even distorted way, and they actually have a certain political motivation."

While speaking on the recent visit paid by mainland religious groups to Taiwan, Li said that the Chinese central government has always been encouraging, supporting and promoting cross-straits exchanges in every field, including religious exchanges, since cross-straits exchanges are common demands and aspirations for the compatriots on both sides.

"The cross-straits religious exchanges of the past years play a positive role in promoting communication and understanding across the straits," he said.

However, some relevant Taiwan authorities called the visit as a move for a "united front". "It does not accord with facts," Li said.

"It is an obstruction against the religious exchanges across the straits, and a disrespect for religious groups on both sides," he said.

Source: Xinhua