Chen was referring to a United Daily News report, which quoted opposition People First Party Legislator Lin Hui-kuan as saying the day before that the Bureau of Foreign Trade, under pressure from certain officials and alcohol importers, is considering allowing a “small quantity” of Chinese spirits to be imported into Taiwan, probably to the tune of about 4-8 percent of the total amount of alcohol consumed annually in Taiwan.

Chen stressed that three conditions would have to be met before Taiwan would allow Chinese liquor imports — namely that Taiwan’s national security would not be undermined, that relevant industries in Taiwan would not be adversely affected and that the Taiwan people’s health would not be compromised.

The secretary-general pointed out that there are hundreds of kinds of liquor in China and that according to reports, up to 80 percent of the liquor produced there is bootleg, which he said could pose a health risk to consumers.

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