Groupers in a supermarket in Beijing File photo: VCG

The first shipment of 23.96 tons of grouper fish from the island of Taiwan arrived in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province on Thursday, marking the formal resumption of related trade after the Chinese mainland customs lifted the ban on imports in late December, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Thursday.

Based on inspection and quarantine in line with laws and regulations, Xiamen customs established a "green channel" to provide fast clearance of the live fish to ensure their survival rate, according to the report.

Earlier, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) decided to resume the import of grouper fish from Taiwan starting December 22. Groupers imported to the mainland must come from aquaculture enterprises that are qualified and properly registered, it said.

The GAC suspended imports of groupers from the Taiwan island into the mainland from June 13, 2022, after detecting prohibited drugs in a number of shipments from 2021.

"As long as we adhere to the '1992 Consensus' and oppose 'Taiwan independence,' both sides across the Taiwan Straits belong to one family. Family matters can be discussed and resolved," spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Zhu Fenglian said at a press briefing on December 22.

"We are willing to work together with relevant parties in Taiwan island to continue to provide assistance in resuming the import of Taiwan-produced agricultural and fishery products to the mainland," she said.