ASEAN stands as the foremost supplier of imported fruits to China, with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region playing a pivotal role as the entry point for over half of these imports. The integration of intelligent technologies and industrial synergies are instrumental in propelling this industry, valued at billions of dollars. In the heart of south China's Guangxi, the District of Wuming specializes in cultivating orange-mandarin hybrids, leveraging the subtropical, nutrient-dense soil. Since 2012, Wuming has emerged as the leading producer in China, contributing to 20% of the country's production. Farmers in the region, including Lu Ailian, have transitioned to leasing their land to orchard enterprises, engaging in labor during the harvest season to earn wages.
These Wuming mandarins, with an anticipated output of 1.5 million tons for the winter market, find 60% of their demand in Southeast Asia, following six years of market development efforts. The industry generates upwards of 1.4 billion US dollars annually, with post-harvest sorting being a critical phase. Just an hour away from the orchards, robots undertake the majority of sorting tasks, utilizing a visual recognition system to grade the fruits based on size, sugar content, and external flaws. Ji Sufeng, an orchard owner with a manufacturing background, has introduced China's first digital fruit tree map, enhancing agricultural practices with real-time data tracking on irrigation and soil conditions, aiming for international expansion of this smart system.
Infrastructure enhancements at the border have facilitated increased trade flows. The western land border with Vietnam now boasts a new port equipped for 24-hour, unmanned, intelligent customs clearance, while new ocean freight routes on Guangxi's southern coast have streamlined the entry of Southeast Asian produce. The introduction of seven fruit express lines to countries including Thailand and Vietnam, coupled with the RCEP agreement and the new land-sea trade corridor, has spurred a 26% growth in fruit trade year-on-year. These developments have made exotic fruits like Musang durians from Malaysia more accessible to Chinese consumers, reducing shipping times and preserving freshness through advanced shipping methods.
From the cultivation of mandarins in China to the import of durians from Malaysia, the trade between China and ASEAN countries exemplifies a robust partnership, underscored by innovation, diligence, and mutual trust. This flourishing trade not only brings diverse flavors to consumers but also signifies the deepening economic ties between China and its ASEAN neighbors.
Source: CGTN