China imposes new trade restrictions on Taiwan as Pelosi visits

Taipei, Aug. 3 (CNA) The Chinese government has announced that it will temporarily suspend imports of citrus fruit and two types of fish from Taiwan and exports of natural sand, just hours after U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on a visit.

Chinese media reported Wednesday that the country's General Administration of Customs had suspended imports of refrigerated largehead hairtail and frozen Japanese horse mackerel from Taiwan due to repeated discovery of the COVID-19 virus on packaging materials.

The agency previously imposed one-week bans in June on imports of the two fish varieties from Taiwan, citing the same reason.

The customs bureau also said it suspended the import of citrus fruit from Taiwan due to the presence of citrus mealybug and excess residues of two types of pesticides, according to the reports.

The new trade curbs came just hours after Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on the first visit by a U.S. House speaker since 1997, prompting China to announce a series of live-fire military drills in the waters around the island Aug. 4-7.

On Monday night, China's customs bureau imposed temporary import bans on products from over 100 Taiwanese food manufacturers, including the well-known brands I-Mei Foods, Wei Chuan and Kuai Kuai Co.

Update

Aug. 11: Government to spend NT$200 million on marketing food amid China bans

Aug. 10: KMT vice chairman makes controversial visit to China

Aug. 9: Taiwan's diplomatic ties stable amid possible China retaliation: FM

Aug. 6: U.S., Japan, Australia urge China to stop military drills

Aug. 6: Taiwan companies told to abide by China's labeling rule: MOEA

Aug. 5: 68 Chinese warplane, 13 warship sorties recorded around Taiwan: MND

Aug. 5: MOFA reports continued cyberattacks seeking to crash its website

Aug. 5: China's drills a 'new normal' aimed at changing status quo: Experts

Aug. 4: President Tsai calls China's live-fire drills 'irresponsible act'

Aug. 4: China fires 11 Dongfeng ballistic missiles into waters off Taiwan: MND

Aug. 4: China cannot stop world leaders from visiting Taiwan: Pelosi

Aug. 3: Pelosi, TSMC Chair Liu discuss semiconductor chips: Legislator