How China uses fruit to punish Taiwan

It's not just about fruit.
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In September 2021, China banned the import of sugar apples, or atemoya, from Taiwan, claiming they were bringing in pests. Critics say pests are an excuse, and China is weaponizing trade with Taiwan. And this isn’t the first time. In February of 2021, China banned the import of Taiwanese pineapples, causing a backlog and threatening farmers' livelihoods across the country.
The current situation is tied to a complex history that goes back to the Chinese civil war, and to recent tensions that go back to 2016, when Taiwan elected a new president. Since then, Chinese military incursions into Taiwan’s air space have been on the rise, and the relation between the two has kept deteriorating. Fruit is the latest expression of this.
To understand how this atemoya ban impacts farmers in Taiwan, and how it all ties together, watch our video.
Sources and further reading:
You can check out the data on Taiwan’s fruit exports here:
www.producereport.com/article...
To read more about the pineapple campaign and how it played out, check this out:
www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...
To read the Cross-Strait Agreement on Trade in Services, click here:
www.mac.gov.tw/public/Data/38...
To understand the Sunflower Movement in more depth, read this:
carnegieendowment.org/2018/08...
For a deeper look at China’s military incursions, check this out:
www.cnn.com/2021/10/15/asia/t...
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[@Andrew-ob5ij]

If anything we learned from our supply lines during covid, don’t rely entirely on one country for anything

[@zlpatriot11]

Same goes for manufacturing.

[@user-xiaoyaoniangwangbo]

Can you?

[@lesussie2237]

yeah this one shows how adaptive our supply lines can be like the pineapple market demand shifting to Japan

[@jeffreybower]

Especially a non-democratic one.

[@Manish-ud4sl]

@@jeffreybower you mean endia?

[@JakieToJestPojebane]

This reminds me of when Russia banned Polish apples. There was a big campaign in the media to eat more apples and drink more cider. I must say, I contributed enormously, mostly to the second part.

[@andrewjackson7970]

but partially to the first?

[@chi6989]

@@andrewjackson7970 I think it means he drank a lot of wine.

[@ThaNarc]

@@chi6989 *cider

[@ThaNarc]

Does this fruit have a alchol equivalent?

[@Bacopa68]

Johnny Appleseed here in the US was an American Dionysus. Almost none of his trees were suitable for table fruit, but acceptable for fermenting into cider. And if you want to get drunk faster, there's always Apple Jack. Dolley Parton sang a song about it.

[@who-ss9bh]

Fun fact: Since the fruit war happened a few months before the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021, the Japan's Olympic Committee imported tons of Taiwanese bananas and pineapples. Also, many Japanese bought Taiwanese pineapples as a way to return the help they received from the Taiwanese during the 2011 earthquake.

[@zhangburnham7226]

Fun fact Japan removes Taiwanese bananas due to excessive pesticides，also，USA bans imports of Taiwan pineapples

[@shrayesraman5192]

Love to see asian countries acting independently of China. Only way to contain their aggressive expansion

[@yeshuayoon]

So embarrassing how Taiwan has to be dependent on former enemies haha

[@bravesl6666]

Japan should establish official diplomacy with Taiwan

[@luangxin2082]

Mongolia = China ancestors 😆 China = son of Japan 🤣

[@D4PPZ456]

There are millions of fruits that would blow all of our minds that only locals in the places where they tend to grow will know about. It's a shame that fruits like Atemoyas are completely unavailable in many parts of the world.

[@kapudanuderya]

When I was in South America I tried every weird fruit I didn't know about. Then I had diarrhea for days lol

[@lesussie2237]

outside of Asia, tropical fruit varieties are much more limited. for example, here in Indonesia, we have dozens of varieties of bananas, but western markets usually just consume cavendish

[@Slashplite]

@@kapudanuderya In Amazon alone ive tried more than 20+ new fruits that ive never seen in my life

[@FrancoisCarment]

I really dont see why it would be a shame. Quite the opposite. If we are serious about reducing global warming, we should consume local fruits and on season...

[@nuzayerov]

@@lesussie2237 , yeah! In Bangladesh too, we have a variety of Banana we call "Bangla Kola" (transl. Bangla Banana). Its (in my opinion) the most tastiest banana out of all the other types I've eaten yet. Its reallyyyy sweet and quite soft.

[@probablyaman]

I really appreciate you mentioning the Freedom Pineapple campaign, especially both the positive and negative impacts. Most news in Taiwan only mention how Taiwan "won" against the Chinese ban. But the truth is that the farmers who worked the hardest were not really compensated.

[@Zyloch]

This is the first time, I've heard of the impact as well. Which makes me appreciate this video even more, since it provides facts and lead the viewer to form their opinion. It's no longer a video about one side winning.

[@husemeerbolat3861]

YERLERİN VE GÖKLERİN VE HERŞEYİN SAHİBİ YÜCE ALLAH CC ALLATAN BAŞKA İLAH YOKTUR ALLAH KATINDA HAK DİN İSLAMDIR MUHAMMED ALAHIN PEYGAMBERİDİR GÜZEL İNSAN HUZUR ARIYORSAN HUZUR İSLAMDA GÜZEL İNSAN MÜSLÜMAN OLMADAN CENNETE GİREMESSİN

[@himesilva]

It's seems like the best way to find impartial news about your country if to look at foreign media (from a neutral country obviously)

[@vstachen7761]

The Taiwan region prohibits the import of any agricultural products from the mainland. Taiwan receives a surplus of hundreds of billions of dollars from the mainland every year!

[@Zyloch]

@@vstachen7761 What are you trying to say? That the pineapple trade deal only benefits Taiwan previously? because Taiwan doesn't import Agricultural goods from China?

[@FireRupee]

1:45 The Nationalists didn't create the name "Republic of China" _after_ relocating the capital to Taipei in 1949. The name "Republic of China" has been in use since 1912.

[@bctvanw]

Taiwan was part of Japan in 1912. Taiwanese did not participate the founding of ROC. ROC even had a Chinese consulate in Taipei in 1930s.

[@FireRupee]

@@bctvanw Yes. Taiwan and Penghu were a colony of Japan in 1912, and the ROC gained control of them in 1945; Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu were controlled by the ROC in 1912, and not Japan. Taiping has been administered by the ROC since 1945 (read: before 1949). My point was that the video makes it sound like the ROC only came to be as a result of the Chinese Civil War, which is not so.

[@kianono3209]

The Japan Empire officially give up Formosa in the San Francisco treaty of WW2 in 1951 , before that Taiwanese still Japanese citizens . China didn't take part in the San Francisco Treaty .

[@MFLOVEify]

@@bctvanw do you understand that was done through illegal occupation through invasion?

[@democracydignityhumanrights]

It’s also important to remember that the ROC was a dictatorship until the 90s, and it took a lot of public pressure from the Taiwanese people to change that.

[@warw]

Atemoya tastes incredible. Planted 2 trees this year. Really interesting to see it in the middle of this issue.

[@stefanscicluna2799]

Can you buy them online

[@rosenberry9150]

@@stefanscicluna2799 I think so, I mean… I bought it in 2018 in Southeast Asia.

[@Alpha-Mike-Foxtrot]

I always wanted to try one. I saw them on Anthony Bourdain's show I think.

[@PHlophe]

@@stefanscicluna2799 it rots super fast and when imported you could find living insects inside since it takes ages to arrive. i planted a tree of atemoya when i was eswatini with my great grand father when i wsas 6. it is still standing. we call it XabaXaxhi

[@warw]

@@stefanscicluna2799 Miami fruit sells them but they're pretty expensive. I have yet to find them except in one fruit market in Hawaii. Asian grocers may have it, it looks like annona squamosa, but is not the same. USA season should be around September. Ill ship you one in a few years when ours is big enough to produce fruit, lol. Check out 'weird explorer's video on atemoya

[@sedrickhamani7843]

This fruit just disappeared in Cameroon all of a sudden for years now and it's incredibly amazing fruit

[@PHlophe]

it has never disappeared in africa. african ones are much much bigger then chinese ones. you need solid tropical heat for these and they grow fast like Pupaya

[@hermeslein6614]

Sorry But Taiwan belongs to China deal with it America is falling while Keeps getting stronger

[@ChrisAsia]

Nah it's super disgusting. Way to sweet and sticky. And don't get me started about the seeds.

[@treacheroustrouser4652]

Rip Francis ngannou

[@husemeerbolat3861]

YERLERİN VE GÖKLERİN VE HERŞEYİN SAHİBİ YÜCE ALLAH CC ALLATAN BAŞKA İLAH YOKTUR ALLAH KATINDA HAK DİN İSLAMDIR MUHAMMED ALAHIN PEYGAMBERİDİR GÜZEL İNSAN HUZUR ARIYORSAN HUZUR İSLAMDA GÜZEL İNSAN MÜSLÜMAN OLMADAN CENNETE GİREMESSİN

[@throwaway756]

The Philippines had a similar story during the Scarborough Shoal standoff in 2012. China banned banana exports from the country after that incident and almost had the entire industry brought into its knees.

[@proudlakerfan]

Yup. China doesn't like to play fair. Always scheming against other countries. If Beijing's trying to show you goodwill, run the other direction. LOL.

[@lc-mx1ir]

every country does this, its called sanctions

[@b34k8]

It’s literally a sanction

[@markcutie9959]

Anu kaya pangalan ng prutas na ito sa Pinas? Not sure kung anu name.

[@throwaway756]

@@markcutie9959 Atis

[@Handle0108]

Thankfully, the Taiwanese economy is not entirely dependent on primary goods like fruits to run, and there are very advanced industries like the semiconductors, computers and other technologies. Taiwan should focus on these more and they can be like Japan and Korea.

[@alphestanley7194]

Taiwan is already like Japan and Korea, they have a hold against global economies with their semiconductor production. Anyways the whole “ban” was just a symbolic move just like what they did to the Philippines. If China wanted to choke Taiwan (and themselves) they have to cut semiconductor trade.

[@Cecilia-ky3uw]

Taiwan is already very japan korea like

[@ggyrcrrs.7]

台湾不是国家！！！

[@andrewjackson7970]

not a huge blow, just a precursor move

[@Merugaf]

Taiwan has a diversified economy and has the most authentic Chinese experience there is.

[@crazd467]

Funny enough Hawaii was made a state in a very similar fashion by removing sugar tarrifs for their pineapples and then as they grew their production we started to apply tarrifs until it broke them economically and they became a part of the US.

[@iamyou8994]

US is an illegitimate state.

[@psrdirector]

The conquest of Hawaii by the United States is rarely addressed except for rosey generalizations

[@ceciliaw1065]

Humans are just so evil

[@nsevv]

Ancient history. and most of it is just conspiracy nonsense.

[@lawrencebautista1]

I haven't tried Taiwanese mangoes yet. Their main variety is the 'Irwin' with an attractive red color and as sweet as the Japanese ones. Wish they'll export some to Southeast Asia particularly the Philippines. Our mango season is from April to June, while Taiwan's is from June to August. We could enjoy Taiwanese mangoes when ours are already out of season and vice versa for Taiwan.

[@mabo9636]

I am in Thailand. I haven't seen any from TW yet.

[@lun4972]

Hi I'm from Taiwan, and I have to say our fruit is really delicious . they're also sweeter than you can imagine ! hope someday you will get the chance to try them !

[@thewatchler97]

@@lun4972 love Taiwanese Irvin mangoes, but yet to see any of them in my region (Malaysia, Singapore). Hopefully we will able to buy them at the market in near future.

[@tartaglia.]

I love the mangoes from the Philippines! I hope I’ll get to try some Taiwanese mangoes one day, but I haven’t seen any in HK.

[@vstachen7761]

The Taiwan region prohibits the import of any agricultural products from the mainland. Taiwan receives a surplus of hundreds of billions of dollars from the mainland every year!

[@peteroneill5426]

Reminds me of the Anglo-Irish Trade War of the 20s and 30s. The small and newly independent Ireland was locked in a bitter conflict over agricultural goods with the UK. It was a different dynamic however, as we were both the main importer/exporter for each other. Geopolitics, economics and history make a dangerous combination. Long live Taiwan, nonetheless, from one small island to another!

[@VerhoevenSimon]

Interesting, any good resources on this you can recommend?

[@s5565589]

Thanks!

[@lex7724]

Crypto currency and NFTS will outsmart the banking system in the nearest future serving as a global fiat. Already making over 85% profit from my current investment🤑

[@craigmertz1994]

You are right but the market is profitable if you are using a really good broker or account manager to help out with trades or provide signals

[@lex7724]

@Pushkar Ráj Thakur yeah she does, she's an exceptional and lucrative broker at same time. I just bought my dream Mercedes from last weeks profit. All thanks to her expertise.

[@khalilahd.]

Isn’t it incredible how we can literally politicize ANYTHING for power? Even fruit 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@MynameisBrianZX]

History had something aptly called the Banana Wars

[@jeanbrunma]

There is a reason there is such a thing as banana republics. Americans are just as bad.

[@jackroyaltea5034]

Go read up on Banana republics. In fact we have a rich history of using fruit to keep a people under our thumb.

[@HShango]

I agree it's very petty 😑

[@HShango]

@@jackroyaltea5034 that's also very true

[@TheEfX]

We as vietnamese people face this problem too. Even though it seems less harsh than taiwan. But it happens constaintly. We. As farmers are forced to switch fruits to export to china. And china keeps banning this banning that

[@seeclipse6788]

Lol... Your country deserve it !

[@aliehudson6796]

That's the Achilles heel of our economy. Dependence on China means yhey have leverage over us and our economy. So long as this reliance remains we still have to be fearful of them. I hope policy makers can do something about this

[@kentonbenoit9629]

Many countries including mine are having this problem... The resurgence of Authoritarianism is a problem that must be confronted 😐

[@bessie6448]

it's pure business, period! if you dont feel comfortable, just dont sell things to China. period. just dont lie 'bout the fact that you want to make money from China. Make money from other countries!!!

[@AnimeIsLayfu]

@@bessie6448 that's easier said than done. China is a huge market and not to br able to enter is a lose, a huge lose. If you are just a small farmer and not into imports then this doesn't hurt you big time.

[@eliasross4576]

I had atemoya on a bicycle ride around Taiwan I think back in 2009 or so. They were incredible. It was eating a fruit custard. I don't think you can get them very easily in the US. I see some sites offering a 9 pound box for almost $200 for fruit grown in Florida. (The fruit, which is a hybrid, was developed in Florida.)

[@husemeerbolat3861]

YERLERİN VE GÖKLERİN VE HERŞEYİN SAHİBİ YÜCE ALLAH CC ALLATAN BAŞKA İLAH YOKTUR ALLAH KATINDA HAK DİN İSLAMDIR MUHAMMED ALAHIN PEYGAMBERİDİR GÜZEL İNSAN HUZUR ARIYORSAN HUZUR İSLAMDA GÜZEL İNSAN MÜSLÜMAN OLMADAN CENNETE GİREMESSİN

[@punkdigerati]

@@Paonporteur mostly Cherimoya in Hawaii, but frankly Hawaii barely exports fruit anymore, it's just not as cost effective for producers vs much, much less expensive places in South America and Asia.

[@feiyu8988]

key question is RPC doesn't rely on POC too much cuz these fruits can also grow in mainland

[@leonzspotg]

*PRC and *ROC

[@ashpurswaney9114]

as a taiwanese resident and someone born and raised here. i got goosebumps during the freedom pineapple segment. so much pride in how we did what we did. i love u taiwan.

[@memegodsonseungwan329]

We bought fresh pineapples (if in season) and any pineapple snacks from Taiwan.

[@bctvanw]

Not every pineapple grown in Taiwan is good... Actually, you have to pick the right ones to eat... some are so good that you can even eat the cores.

[@KingKhan-vo9og]

Taiwan number 1 🇹🇼

[@jessl1934]

As an Australian, I would have loved to support the freedom pineapple movement except Taiwanese pineapples are banned in Australia to prevent "pests and diseases", but really to protect the Australian domestic market from competition in the Asian region. Except it's good when Australia does this and it's bad when China does it because Chiner bad.

[@JasonMomos]

Funny seeing delusional Taiwanese people on the internet who think they can ride the hype and continue non-feasible trade with other countries forever. That's not how Capitalism works. Your best bet for long-term sustenance would be to settle things with PRC asap. You need them more than they need you.

[@chansherly212]

No wonder there was pineapple flavoured bun in that taiwanese resturant i went to the other day, which was apparently its speciality (here in malaysia)

[@cesarsantis5116]

In the 80s, U.S.A banned chilean grapes to punish the dictatorship that ruled Chile. Then, the dictator decided to distribute the grapes in all public schools. That year we ate a lot of grapes.

[@stephenm.stouter2238]

>installs dictator >gets mad at dictator they installed >punishes grape farmers for it

[@nsevv]

@@stephenm.stouter2238 nope, the grapes were bad.

[@lucastang1486]

China did the same thing to Australia, banning lobster, wine, barley etc.

[@PHlophe]

Lucas Tsang, russia learned it from china.

[@Commander_HW]

Yes, because U.S told AU to stop selling ore to China, then right after AU stopped selling, U.S swooped in and stole that market from AU and started to sell ore to China. Ore sectors in AU are extremely mad about U.S and Scott Morrison.

[@lvjinbin28]

that's how China learnt from USA:sanction.

[@tkw3864]

Australia banned China’s 5G first.

[@SG-ct2tb]

Australia beserved it. They sanctioned china FIRST. China just retaliated and now Australia mad. That's what they get.

[@silentwf]

Hi Vox, thanks for reporting on this issue. I'd like to point out there's an error around 1:40 mark. The Republic of China was established in 1912 which already included Taiwan (but was colonized by Japan at this time), not after the Nationalist party lost the civil war. The nationalist party moved the government to Taiwan after losing the 1949 civil war. This is an important distinction since presenting the video in the manner where CCP's PROC was created at the same time as ROC may mislead your audience to believe that ROC (Taiwan) has no proper claim over its sovereignty. Another subtle detail that is lost is that when Japan lost WW2 in 1945 and had to return Taiwan to "China", Japan was returning Taiwan to ROC - an already established government.

[@bessie6448]

Vox got the source from anti-Republic of China, so what do you expect from Vox? and why r u so surprised? it's not an accident!

[@fafazuzu125]

其實我也覺得台灣的統治權爭議比其他大國小國分離爭議來得清楚明瞭許多。中國的行政官員從來沒有踏上台灣的土地過。

[@bctvanw]

If you get into details, Taiwan was not "returned" to China. KMT was shipped and ordered by the US to occupy Taiwan. KMT just took the chance to annex Taiwan. USA needed allies so bad to fight against the Soviets, so USA just let it be. Japan actually did not give up Taiwan officially until 1951 when the Treaty of San Francisco was signed. During 1945... the so called ROC government was not so "unified" too in China... Manchuria, Mongolia, Tibet... were not under it's control... KMT gained territories from Japan's surrender in China, but not all of them... For example, Manchuria was occupied by the USSR and later given to CCP. Before KMT was order to occupy Taiwan, it was ordered to occupy Northern Indochina.

[@avatarxs]

This is not entirely correct. At the founding of ROC, Taiwan was Japanese soil, full stop.

[@pong9000]

Is it like the American South losing the Civil War attacked and occupied Cuba?

[@jchastain789]

Thank you for the long travel and dedication to create this video. Awesome information

[@Jdbfyskxuek]

the video is great! really give the audience the history context. the only problem is that the translation in the subtitle is not very accurate. you should improve that to convey the precise message from the speakers

[@wiltmarlonelao]

If you're curious how atemoya tastes like, it's like a custard apple crossed with soursop. One of the best fruits I've ever had really.

[@LoPhatKao]

soursop is good ate a bunch when i was in jamaica

[@waynec5208]

China only call for fair trade when it is advantageous to them. Taiwanese fruits, Australian wine, Kpop, Hollywood movies, US tech and tons of other examples.

[@FikAb]

Mmmm.... it reminds me about another country, too :)

[@crmags]

China only trades to their advantage? You just described capitalism.

[@setiawanskom8872]

Its also important to have a good relationship with you buyer or supplier. If your buyer or supplier act rude....you need to consider to buy or sell it to someone else If your supplier keep badmouthing you, do you need to keep buying from them? Example china australia trade If your customer keep attacking you? Do you need to keep selling for them? Example russia german trade At the end...the winner is always ...who need less?

[@crmags]

​@@setiawanskom8872 Yeah, businesses are a buyer and supplier relationship, not economies.

[@waynec5208]

@@crmags Sure thing. I hope I hear no more "fair trade" from China's mouth. :)

[@tensai0805]

I'm not sure if that is a fair statement, cause both Japan and Australia found insects during border inspection. And Taiwanese media downplayed the whole thing.

[@bessie6448]

Vox will never cover this in their story, because it's media war. it's a whole 'Destroy China' plan. we'll see more negative news coverage on China.

[@jchen8942]

It's totally a fair statement because china waited for a long time to ban fruits after pests were found. China Taiwan relationship is a very sensitive topic, almost everything Taiwan and china do in relation to each other has a political aspect. To say that it doesn't represent a very naive perspective on cross strait relations.

[@jondoe9548]

Vox makes documentaries on random topics so interesting. Appreciate the hard work. 👏

[@jamesd9036]

To be fair it all depends on the narratives. The farmers wanted to make more money by selling specific goods to PRC. They were not forced in any way. Now they are "forced" to live through this harsh condition? The thing is, even if it is some kind of trap, whose fault is it to not have identified the risks? Why would the Taiwanese government shut down criticism from the farmers and try to blame it all on PRC, who has never been on good terms with Taiwan?

[@constantinoVino]

In Madeira Island (Portugal) we grow these "crab apple" and is also one of the most popular fruits that we call Anonas

[@tianko5609]

2:08 important to point out that Taiwan only had free elections in 1996, and since then they've elected DPP more than KMT. In fact the first votes elected KMT president Lee had ideals closer to DPP's, and China launched missiles when he was elected (he was later expelled from KMT), so "pro China" president Ma was in power only once since free elections from 1996, which led to to the legislature protest shown in the video.

[@bctvanw]

Lee was the first Taiwan born leader in the history of Taiwan. Lee is more pro Taiwan then China. Lee stepped down after only one term. If Lee did not open up Taiwan's democracy, Taiwan would be still another richer North Korea or Smaller PRC.

[@yesidothecooking]

they did that to the philippines, but with bananas. almost destroyed our banana industry.

[@PatheticTV]

I live in HK and buy PH bananas whenever I can because they taste the best and are from the best country lol

[@xijumping6248]

My banana is from Philippines

[@madeofcastiron]

@@PatheticTV and mangos too. to me, no other mangos taste better than philippine mangos

[@xXxSkyViperxXx]

saging sagging

[@mugtiles]

Pettiness is everywhere.

[@Doochos]

especially with the CCP

[@ysnsmth]

the CCP is a textbook definition of pettiness

[@megamastah]

@@Doochos And CCCP.

[@hyy3657]

@@Doochos But have to point out that, the fact Chinese bought those fruit at a higher price, it is obvious...now Taiwan don't want to be unified as the KMT party era does, China react with reason.

[@YIHUNGJEN]

this reporting is trying to make a confusing statement by jumbling the timeline. Incident with pineapple happened first and fervor in protecting domestic fruit industry was high, for a while. When wax apple and then this got banned, farmers were decimated, and the tw government had no recourse. The problem is yes you should diversify, but no effort or policy were made to address diversification in export partners. This government as of 2022 had been in power for 6yrs holding both the executive branch and the legislative branch of government. Blaming your enemy to take advantage of you is not only an embarrassment for a government who claims to be in the good interest of its ppl, but a major negligence in responsibility

[@jchen8942]

Diversification isn't that easy. You can't just say we are going to diversify and do it without a market for it. Who are you going to diversify to? Taiwan was only able to diversify pineapples in this situation by making a big show and calling for help from allied countries. This maneuver would be difficult over time, when it doesn't seem to be a one time thing. other countries aren't that interested in buying fruits

[@drizzle666]

There's an error, at 2:41 where the presidency chart is shown, Chen Shui-bian was actually an opposition party leader and was elected in 2000 as Taiwan's first non-KMT president, which could arguably be the single most important event in Taiwan's political history. His presidency ran two terms and, during his 8-year rule, Taiwan-China dynamics and Taiwanese public opinion regarding whether Taiwan is part of China changed greatly. So altogether there were three times when the opposition party was elected into power, Not two. This may seems like a minor mistake, but anyone really familiar with Taiwan history and politics would know immediately that the writer of this video is not really an expert in the area, he or she is definitely an outsider, most likely just assigned to do this project, did some seemingly adequate but really preliminary research, and came up with this video.

[@elenalin29]

actually, the number is 4, since Tsai Ing Wen is also running on her 2nd term of presidency nice catch thought 👍

[@elenalin29]

@@Paonporteur asia queen like in a good way

[@louisd6410]

Or the fact that video claims China went into the airspace, which is false. China sent planes into IDZ which is not the airspace

[@edwin614]

Something is interesting in Taiwan that atemoya used to be an expensive fruit in Taiwan. After China's largely import, lots of people in Taiwan didn't eat atemoya anymore. So, the “punished” of China's ban lets us have some cheap atemoya to eat in another way. lol

[@hugok3340]

i don’t think the price is the reason for the change in people’s consumption. In fact, atemoya are not that expensive. The price has been around 3 to 4 US dollars. It's not a price that Taiwanese cannot afford to, but in the past a large number of it were exported to China, which resulting in less atemoya remaining in Taiwan, and thus become a specialty of Taitung

[@crmags]

Yeah, I guess farmers can keep doing the same amount of work for half the profits. At least you can have cheap Atemoyas right...

[@shanel7707]

That's a really selfish way of looking at it. Cheaper atemoya is not a good thing if the farmer is losing money planting it. It's not sustainable and may result in atemoy being more expensive in the future.

[@edwin614]

In my opinion, it's the farmer's short-sighted to make this happen. Every Taiwanese knows that China will punish everything from Taiwan one day, but you didn't do anything to avoid that. After the punishment happened, then hope others help you. Why should we do that?

[@hugok3340]

@@edwin614 so the punishment of China is right, just like the Russian did with Ukrainian? what about other countries like Philippines, Australia, the same situation happened to them before, were they also deserve a punishment?

[@kioskooperativo7266]

They talk about countries being coerced to drop their recognition of Taiwan, but the country shown as an example is Nicaragua. Nicaragua is a Russian ally and the only reason they were recognizing Taiwan is because Taiwan was giving them aid money and China didn't made a counter offer before.

[@georgekoribanic2524]

Cheers to those farmers in the video, you can just tell that they are some genuinely stand up men. Hope it gets better for em.

[@JK-iw6yn]

As a Hongkonger I’m more than happy to eat Taiwan fruits! I ate so many pineapples last year. They taste so good!

[@unexpectedme9992]

I just edited a video today and i just want to say i appreciate the editors for thier work

[@Globalsouthie]

Well , US did the same with India for mangoes for trade deals !!

[@Globalsouthie]

@Galaxies idk about tomatoes but stopped exporting cotton which almost chocked Pakistan's weaving industry.

[@thorsday5505]

I hope America can import more fruits from Taiwan to help the people there. It's hard to find another customer in the southeast Asia since these countries are also tropical fruit producers and exporters.

[@Andy0770]

Whatever fruits Taiwan produced, US can get better, cheaper and fresher in Florida, Mexico and the rest of Latin America.

[@nisstw]

Not "punish", It's BULLYING.

[@thinkpink1021]

I live in Japan and I looooove Taiwanese pineapples. Now they are pretty cheap, if it can benefit the farmers, just raise the price!! I’ll still buy them for sure.

[@linling1240]

When I was living in China, i didn’t know many people that would have Taiwanese fruits as their first option-i certainly wouldn’t. Taiwan produces quality delicious fruits but the prices are way higher than Chinese local fruits and the fruits that are imported from southeast asian countries. Taiwanese fruits are definitely considered luxury.

[@vitasoy1437]

This kind of reminds me of Mexican avacadoes, most of them export to US and a recent US hold to stop them from coming hurt those farmers.

[@alexyan999]

The two places are only 150 kilometers apart, do you really think that the mainland on the left can't grow the same fruit? There is only one fact, that is, the mainland on the left has been buying fruits grown by the farmers on the island to subsidize the farmers on the island, which is called the release of goodwill. But how the people on the island viewed the mainland, they felt that it was all deserved, just as the people of the whole world owed them. Now they have made the people on the mainland unhappy, and there is nothing wrong with others not buying, and the fault is that the people on the island do not know what to do and have no grateful heart.

[@lzh4950]

Here in Singapore my father was excited when the then mayor of Taiwan/ROC's 2nd largest city Kaohsiung & rising KMT star Han Kuo-yu announced plans to export more fruits to my country, & often asked when it'd come. When it did he found it too expensive however (Singapore's overall cost of living is actually slightly higher than Taiwan but our agricultural produce is mostly imported from other SE Asian countries, whose cost of living are mostly lower (though import/transport costs will raise the selling price) as we found it more profitable to use our (more limited) land for secondary/tertiary industries instead of primary ones e.g. agriculture)

[@MynameisBrianZX]

not really the point, but wax apples have a fantastic texture and pleasant flavor, maybe they ship more over here huh

[@aletheiai]

"Coupling" with the wrong partner can lead to abuse and misery.

[@codechannel528]

Taiwan banned the export of Semiconductors to mainland

[@kontomoemo5412]

Samsung gladly to replace🤣🤣

[@aletheiai]

@@kontomoemo5412 Did you NOT know that NOT all semiconductors are created equal?

[@crackedribs]

I’m on a long train ride in Taiwan through the mountains now and downloaded your video to educate myself about Taiwan. I really enjoyed hearing it thank you

[@chibichumon]

Custard apples are so good! I’ve never tasted such a naturally sweet fruit. Really grateful for other countries and entities that quickly stepped in to buy the fruits China unfairly and corruptly denied. Also thanks, Vox for shedding light on this for others to see.

[@addium3151]

Remember Huawei? It was banned by the us during the US China trade war for national security reasons, yet there was no evidence of huawei phones doing any spying at all.

[@husemeerbolat3861]

YERLERİN VE GÖKLERİN VE HERŞEYİN SAHİBİ YÜCE ALLAH CC ALLATAN BAŞKA İLAH YOKTUR ALLAH KATINDA HAK DİN İSLAMDIR MUHAMMED ALAHIN PEYGAMBERİDİR GÜZEL İNSAN HUZUR ARIYORSAN HUZUR İSLAMDA GÜZEL İNSAN MÜSLÜMAN OLMADAN CENNETE GİREMESSİN

[@wiltmarlonelao]

I think you ought to try Philippine mangoes too. I don't think there's any fruit sweeter than it.

[@rongarcia2128]

Look Chinese, speak Chinese. Why hate each other for the benefit of a white man?

[@vstachen7761]

The Taiwan region prohibits the import of any agricultural products from the mainland. Taiwan receives a surplus of hundreds of billions of dollars from the mainland every year!

[@Edska1]

Gosh, I love custard apple, I lived in Taitung, Taiwan for a few months and really enjoyed it, especially this fruit :)

[@masterchiefy830]

Then the Taiwanese Goverment should start a factory to "CAN" this fruits for export.

[@paperflight5803]

Fun fact, China does not actual need these fruit. Just for Taiwan.

[@shadowwsk3507]

This is unrelavant but those fruits tastes amazing, you should try it some day

[@calvin10]

These days anything related to china is going to be controversial one way or another

[@bessie6448]

why r u so surprised?! we want to trash China first, then destroy China next. it's media war.

[@tkw3864]

Things remain controversial only because China got strong military+nuclear weapons. Iraq and Libya didn’t get a chance to be ‘controversial’ when they were invaded by the US and Europe.

[@kagamitaiga7055]

Thats how they get views once throw china name 😂😂😂✋ people will be curious what china do

[@71brianboy]

Hello Vox, thank you for choosing Taiwan fruit export as stating point! Besides fix and highly control market- China- we are wrapped in, Taiwanese has confidence to let our qualified fruits switching to global markets for competition. Not only one way to “export” our fruits and cultures, we embrace diversity with possibilities from global

[@yewsingooi9573]

Why dont complain to Australia and Hong Kong after they find out the pest problem in Taiwan exported pineapple? Double standard?

[@71brianboy]

Hi there, maybe you can provide more info for us to review with solid materials, thanks for that. But beside this, political issue and pest control caused by different goal and motivation. I think most people aware of it?

[@user-mp3zm7oi7i]

Do you know how much fruit sold in Chinese mainland to Taiwan? Since Taiwan does not accept fruits from the Chinese mainland, how can it be considered that the Taiwan area is bullying the mainland?

[@himimedak656]

I love taiwanese food so much!! everything is tastier there🥺🥺

[@HShango]

No doubt

[@user-xiaoyaoniangwangbo]

🔥

[@xi1864]

taiwan bot

[@ggyrcrrs.7]

@@HShango *中国菜

[@schmuleyboteak4112]

China has the richest, most variated kitchen.

[@tyrionlannister6847]

Nothing can escape from politics even pineapples and custard apples

[@curtisbme]

Seems like a strategic mistake by Taiwan to not add export fees to anything going to China. That would remove the incentive to over invest in any area that is China dependent and give them a lever that they can adjust up or down as needed.

[@joshuakinkle8231]

Farmers at losses now are already blaming the Taiwanese government’s poor relations with China for their problems. The Taiwanese government adding their own taxes on exports to China would be hugely unpopular and give farmers even more reasons to throw blame. That would also play even further into Chinas hands. Causing political strife and tension is the main goal of China and these bans.

[@curtisbme]

@@joshuakinkle8231 Taking a temporary hit by introducing a tax, one that could be set on a schedule to increase over a few years so they can plan for it, is far better than simply waiting for the Chinese government to start pulling your strings to make you dance, all because you didn't want to create some temporary friction.

[@JR-vc4gm]

@@curtisbme yeah, but the government would lose the election. So NO

[@codechannel528]

Taiwan won’t do anything. They’re not willing to make sacrifices just like Americans aren’t willing to. Americans will constantly complain about Chinese taking jobs, manufacturing, etc away from America but still go out and buy Chinese made products to save money. Taiwan banned semiconductor exports to China

[@MFLOVEify]

you're gonna ask fruit farmers and others who are just regular people to go into the semiconductor business then huh. Unfortunately, most of the jobs out there still are for low-skill bar industries that cater to everyday needs. I guess all of Taiwan should just be one big semiconductor factory lol

[@ambarpino1199]

It reminds me US an EU doing similar trades with "no so powerful countrys" in central america, south america and africa, for whatever reason. Sometimes banned the imports, sometimes sinking the trade in burocracy and sometimes regulating the price in some ways that no one in the country will boght it... It's a well known history for us.

[@pong9000]

Banana republics ... mango republics.

[@DomyTheMad420]

this is beyond funny "nono we no longer want to conquer you. trust us. here, we'll even lower the tarifs and make it so your economy is dependant i mean friends with ours."

[@anastasiaf.4421]

Where can I find these fruits in Houston? I love trying new fruits and was amazed by offers in San Francisco's Chinatown!

[@bessie6448]

it's hard to find Taiwanese fruit simply because it's tropical fruit and not suitable for long distance shipment. Plus the high-maintenance shipment fees will add to the price which will make it too expensive for Americans to afford.

[@johnchessant3012]

This kind of 'warfare' is the most common nowadays: use badly-needed economic aid/resources as leverage to achieve your political aims. You see it with neocolonialism in Africa, the European dependence on Russian energy, the politics of the Eurozone, the 2019 US-Ukraine scandal, etc. Rarely do we see outright invasions like Russia/Ukraine, which are far more expensive and risky.

[@Bacopa68]

I think NATO needs to intervene. Close the Sky. Yes, this will include SEAD attacks on Russian assets in Ukraine and perhaps also attacks inside Russia itself.

[@saltag]

Great video, but the overview of Taiwan's history is way too reductive and attributes too much explanatory power to the Civil War and ignores Japanese colonization and Qing rule

[@bessie6448]

Vox will never cover this in their story, because it's media war. it's a whole 'Destroy China' plan. we'll see more negative news coverage on China.

[@maemilev]

*I love this fruit soo badly! I had lots of money but the supply is always limited!*

[@Kylelongwest]

Mango in Cambodia is $0.30 per kg, it even cheaper at wholesale.

[@rosewilliams6328]

Taiwan officially recognizes its establishment as a country to the year 1911. I am surprised the video did not mention that. In fact, 1911 is an important enough year that the Taiwanese calendar uses it as the year “0” when dating official documents. (Thus my confusion when my Alien Resident Card said I was born in the year 73, instead of 1984.)

[@LeeannHuang]

Taiwanese atemoya and pineapples have such a unique and rich flavor. They’re my favorite thing to eat when I visit. I wish they were accessible/ imported to the US. The pineapple is like custard, not even sour

[@TheMightyAgency]

Assuming they can pass USDA regulations, making a deal with Costco can move any surplus in no time. Costco seems to be more opened to "exotic" fruit since you can already get durian-derived products and fresh jackfruit. I may have seen dragon fruit in the past so it wouldn't be a stretch to see atemoya.

[@tidbit1877]

I wonder if the Atemoyas could be dried and then shipped further around the world?

[@abhi4u20]

Rest countries should buy them and let local chef and restaurant do the innovation. This way you can create a beautiful history.

[@visune4306]

No

[@zyansheep]

Yum

[@bhagyajitdas1498]

I guess you didn't watched it carefully...when they did that most of the money goes to exporter not to farmers

[@feiyu8988]

fruit needs stricter conditions within long term export and no other countries to have such huge consumptions like RPC

[@thebitch9224]

As stated: costs go up when selling to different countries and the farmer actually end up losing money.

[@courtneypuzzo2502]

read up on international fruit company/Dole they did the same thing in Hawaii with Bananas Coconuts etc.

[@chun-yuchen9657]

The free country of Taiwan and the free world stands against the evil ccp everyday.

[@miaowatt3662]

Any links to support the farmers directly/purchase Taiwanese atemoya?

[@vickychen3533]

can confirm during that period it was routine for me to single-handedly eat an entire pineapple a day

[@fiatlux8828]

I love this fruit. It tastes super similar to a piña colada. Goes well in ice cream too.

[@ShawnLH88]

your channel should have 50 million subs your content is just so amazing and in depth and unique. i wouldve never known about this as a westerner

[@limamike22]

Are there any major fruit grow co-ops in Taiwan? I wonder if cooperatives could be a potential solution. What if individual farms or co-ops diversified their grows to bypass certain fruit bans?

[@I21476]

They are capitalist they hate co ops

[@DavidGravesExists]

There are several smaller co-ops in Taiwan, but most of them have been formed only over the past several years. Smaller-scale farms in Taiwan are almost always focused on a single item.

[@yunhaishop]

We actually import dried taiwanese fruits from an independent farmer's coop in Taiwan. In response to the initial Pineapple ban, we figured we could import them dried more easily (and it would allow farmer's to preserve their harvest and not worry about spoilage). We did a kickstarter and raised over $100 grand and have been reordering since! Independent co-ops exist! We've enjoyed working with them. We have dried wax apple too, but haven't figured if cherimoya can be dried.

[@ChristianBehnke]

Typo on the chart at 6:41 - it says "top five fruits" but only shows four fruits on the graph. 😉

[@ebarsan]

I'm not a fan of China, but when Taiwan stopped selling chips to Huawei was in fact the same thing. Why do you expect any favor? How about the Google, Qualcomm, and Intel ban on Huawei? Everyone talks about the free market only when it suits them!

[@thinkcat01]

Huawei deserved it. They are spies for CCP.

[@nsevv]

Huawei is under the China military unit.

[@toyaJM]

Soursop is so delicious it’s kind of surprising to see it banned

[@nothing-iq7qn]

Its sweetsop

[@toyaJM]

@@nothing-iq7qn I thought sweetsop was rounder

[@bobateacuber7646]

Atemoya is actually a hybrid between sweetsop and soursop

[@toyaJM]

@@bobateacuber7646 thanks for clarifying I’ve never heard of it but immediately when I saw it I was reminded of soursop.

[@esgee3829]

interesting - i also wonder how much the chinese demand drove monoculture-related potential problems. perhaps since low trade barrier to china was only in place for relatively few years these potential problems didn't have time to manifest? would have been nice to hear about this...part at the end hints at preemting this but doesn't exclude monoculture problems at potential benefits. maybe it's is or isn't a problem based on the size of the farms discussed in the report?

[@morpheus6394]

Well done for using the metric system

[@afrz4454]

For me a pineapple symbolizes the extent trade routes different native Americans would have with each other as well as their ability for natural selection and how the practices got disbanded and forgotten when the European colonizers arrived.

[@letsdoodlesomethinghome3404]

A key part a lot of people misunderstand is that the Blue n Green parties both do not want unification with China (if that means they lose their democracy and some rights) but whereas the green is more ‘anti-China’ the blue is willing to take more risk in doing business with China in hopes to ‘sweeten’ the relation between the 2 but not necessarily meaning to sell out Taiwan to China. Basically in hoping that possibly China would drop this grudge of unification and just be friends (in some ways). But yes, I also see this from the green’s point of view. This could open up plot holes and dangerous patches for Taiwan when you take risk, hence why they’re called risks. If it doesn’t work out then Taiwan would be in ‘danger’. So :/

[@yay-cat]

Yeah like being friends creates dependencies and it seems like a bit of a toxic friendship if you ask me

[@Aver888]

We, Europeans, learned the hard way that building close economical ties with an authoritarian regime doesn’t prevent them from doing evil things, but limits your answers instead.

[@bctvanw]

1.Taiwan was part of Japan before 1945. 2.DPP was founded in Taiwan and is pro Taiwan independence. 3.The people who lost Chinese civil war and escaped to Taiwan only consist 13% or less of Taiwan’s population. 4. Before KMT escaped to Taiwan in 1949, there were already 6.5 million Taiwanese.

[@Manish-ud4sl]

@@bctvanw so? Taiwan is still part of china, and your country claims it.

[@bctvanw]

@@Manish-ud4sl The current government is DPP. The president Tsai got 57.13% votes, while the party that claimed to be China KMT got 38.61% votes. Opinion polling on Taiwanese identity: three way: 2021 dec Taiwanese 62.3% Chinese 2.8% Both 31.7% two way: 2015 Taiwanese 89.5% Chinese 6.0% Do you think most Taiwanese people claim it or not nowadays?

[@salakoay_ola]

Looks like the Atemoya is also the Soursop, or closely related. Great tasting fruit.

[@LeonardLuzon]

In Tagalog-speaking areas in Phils., we call it guyabano.

[@sojoboscribe1342]

same genus, different species.

[@KGANZZ]

@Vox 3:24 the terms "Airspace" and "Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)" aren't interchangeable. The former is sovereign territory while the latter isn't and may extend outside of the country's territory for national defence. (e.g Japan's and Taiwan's ADIZs overlap but it doesn't quite matter for obvious reasons).

[@bessie6448]

Vox wont bother w/ all the errors in their coverage. Because it's western media war against China. Who cares the real story.

[@phoebekhang4612]

This is called "Concentration Risk" from business perspective. Fail to understand that is: 1. Lack of basic business sense but mostly 2. Well aware of the risk yet ignore it for easy cash (comfort) This is the same for North America - How Wall Street allows CCP to take control of the market and made the whole world in this s*it storm (as Covid & War) right now. Ultimately it's Human Greed. And please don't say you have nothing to do with it. When you don't oppose dictatorship and support democracy and human rights, you are indirectly contributing to the world issues we are facing now.

[@quetzalcoatl3242]

The same the USA did to Mexico with avocado few weeks ago. I hope you can make a video about it too.

[@rcbrascan]

The US does it all the time with Canada and Canada has to go to the WTO or NAFTA court to fight it.

[@MichelNabil]

They would never mention that

[@SpiritsBB]

I gotta say, the vegetables Mexico sends to Canada is superior to what we had before.

[@ultravioletgaia]

U mean the avocado cartel

[@JamMaul]

My grandfather had 1 tree left of atemoya best fruit taste amazing I can't believe the prices never thought is was that expensive to buy in shops

[@diulikadikaday]

Interestingly, Australia does this to New Zealand apples. Australia pretends there are pests in them so they can ban the NZ apples and protect their own apple industry.

[@pong9000]

I sure hope if Vox covers that they'll show military maps and destroyers on exercise.

[@bboystretch7788]

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands are dead and millions suffering from starvation in Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan.

[@LegendNinja41]

Yep! Western Media again blowing up a minor issue and barely reporting on huge issues like Yemen or Afghanistan.

[@JuanRamirez-zk9lt]

Ok

[@beatrizcascelli]

Incredible video!!!

[@thanhtungtommynguyen4352]

First lesson on Business 101, never put all eggs on 1 basket. Just that simple.

[@giavo4538]

I’m from Vietnam and I really know China did like this lots of time not only in Taiwan, Vietnam but also other nations. And Vietnamese people learned from this lesson a lot and have some deal to get out of this trap!

[@Steven.K8]

All superpowers do this, USA is currently doing it to Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, and anyone who has a different opinion to USA

[@Friek555]

It's a major failure of the UN that Taiwan is not part of it. The function of the UN is to be a forum where all nations of the world are represented. Of all the countries that are not in the UN, Taiwan is the oldest, most established and most democratic. Edit: Just to clarify: On the 2021 democracy index, Taiwan is number 8 of 167, by that measure it is more democratic than any non-Nordic EU country.

[@iii2183]

Are you trying to say Taiwan is a country or not. You are very self contradicting.

[@mauriciojr.4428]

@@iii2183 Taiwan is a country

[@iii2183]

@@mauriciojr.4428 I find it funny people keep saying Taiwan is a country. I mean if Taiwan is a country there is no need to be kept saying, like I don't hear people saying Japan is a country. Unless the fact is Taiwan is not accepted as a country by 90 percent of the planet nations, then there is a need to emphaize Taiwan is a country. Likewise, I dont hear Ukraine is a country, because it is a sovereign country. Only area that are not recognized internationally like Taiwan, then the insecure led to spamming of "Taiwan is a country".

[@afctaylor12]

They were part of un but did a bad job of representing Asia as well china it self and went back to mainland china

[@gamermapper]

Should the UN accept any self-declared breakaway states? Or only those that you personally agree with? Then the UN should accept Abkhazia too, but of course you wouldn't have supported that, despite what the Abkhazians want, because the US says that they're illegitimate.

[@sambotezatu]

here in Moldova we had the same problem with russia when they banned our fruit, vegetables and a few years later wine which is he main moldavian export

[@kevintang9913]

LOL, there are people breaking out of the firewall only to defend it. The irony.

[@leezhieng]

that's if you think only people in china support china.

[@kevintang9913]

@@leezhieng Ok, but I'm only talking about those comments that clearly came from China, so idk what you're trying to say but ok

[@The-Cookie]

People have always had vpns in the first place wdym

[@catcastle4377]

Atis?! It's called atis in the Philippines. It's delicious. The last time I've eaten one was when I was a kid.

[@nkstorm4]

It's a mix of atis and pineapple

[@mjjjuly]

Like bananas, there are variants. Tundan and Lakatan don't taste the same, so i'd expect Atemoya to have a different taste from our local atis.

[@catcastle4377]

@@nkstorm4 it does look bigger and a bit different. I hope I will have a chance to try Atemoya

[@tauceti8060]

Why so long you last eaten it?

[@catcastle4377]

@@tauceti8060 my neighbor used to have a tree but then they cut it down. And I don't see it at our local market. I might check soon if I could find it at our local market :)