Taiwan's China policy body has closed a controversial case without punishment, a relief for Taitung's county head and a sign Taipei will tolerate local farm-trade contacts with the mainland.

• Taitung County Magistrate Rao Ching-ling appeared at China's Straits Forum by pre-recorded video, setting off a political storm.
• Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council had banned officials at every level from joining the forum, calling it a Beijing platform for political influence campaigns.
• Council head Chiu Chui-cheng said Rao stuck to farmers' livelihoods with no political remarks, so no penalty will follow.
• Rao had formally applied to attend in person, was refused, and stayed home — the video was the workaround that drew public complaints.
• Taipei says it does not oppose local governments helping farmers find export buyers, but wants Taiwan produce kept off Beijing's political stages.

Outlook: Central and local officials plan to work together on selling Taiwanese fruit abroad, with the forum ban itself staying in place.