According to a report from China News Service in Manila on June 10 (Reporter Zhang Ming), the Philippine government emphasized on the 10th that the ban issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines on 15 types of Taiwanese food is "not related to politics."
The Philippine FDA recently announced a ban on the import and sale of 15 types of food produced in Taiwan that are allegedly containing "maleic acid," and stated that it will continue to monitor food entering the Philippine market from Taiwan. Presidential spokesperson Chen Xian-da emphasized multiple times at a press conference at the presidential palace on the 10th that this ban is "not related to politics" and is definitely not a "retaliation" against the sanctions imposed by the Taiwanese authorities on the Philippines.
Chen Xian-da stated that whether these foods contain prohibited substances does not depend on political factors, but is determined by scientific testing. "If it is proven to contain prohibited substances, according to Philippine law, it will be banned for sale, it is that simple," and this "has nothing to do with politics," and "is also unrelated to the current situation between the Philippines and Taiwan."
Chen Xian-da also emphasized that he hopes the investigation by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation into the incident of Taiwanese fishermen being shot by the Philippine Coast Guard can "pave the way" for resolving the tension between the Philippines and Taiwan.
