Imports of fresh-cut flowers from Ecuador have surged in China, spurred by the China-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that came into effect on May 1 this year.
The deal, inked in May 2023, stipulates that approximately 90 percent of the products traded between China and Ecuador would be exempted from tariffs, with about 60 percent of these products enjoying immediate zero tariffs.
At the Beijing Capital International Airport, a consignment of Ecuadorian roses passed smoothly through customs via a dedicated "green channel" for perishables.
"This shipment of flowers arrived at the Beijing Capital International Airport at around 03:00 this morning. If importers request expedited processing, we can initiate inspections right away, completing all clearance formalities in about an hour from the time the flowers are offloaded," said Huang Penglei, a customs officer.
As the day breaks, Beijing's flower markets come alive with buyers in search of sought-after varieties, such as New Zealand peonies, South African proteas, and Ecuadorian roses.
The FTA has set in motion a gradual reduction of tariffs on Ecuadorian fresh-cut flowers from 10 percent to zero over a five-year period.
Customs data reveals that from June to August alone, Beijing imported 136,000 Ecuadorian roses, up 41.1 percent year on year.
"The tariff [on Ecuadorian fresh-cut flowers] has dropped from 10 percent to 8 percent. This reduction allows us to offer better prices, which we directly pass on to consumers," said Song Xiaochen, a flower importer.
The trade pact extends to other Ecuadorian products, including bananas and coffee, with tariffs on these products also set to phase out to zero in coming years.
Lower tariffs have improved price competitiveness, boosting business for logistics companies.
Ecuadorian flower imports bloom in China under new trade deal
Russia said Sunday that its forces had hit Ukrainian military facilities, while Ukraine said on the same day that it shot down or neutralized 152 Russian drones and launched an attack on a Russian oil terminal.
In a daily report, the Russian Defense Ministry said that over the past 24 hours, the Russian forces struck Ukrainian transport infrastructure, depots for military-technical supplies, and facilities for drone assembly, storage and launch.
The ministry also said that the Russian forces conducted a precision strike on a large dry-cargo ship and destroyed an enemy uncrewed vessel in the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said the city had been hit by a large-scale drone attack, leaving one person dead and five others injured.
The Ukrainian Air Force said it had shot down or neutralized 152 Russian drones between 18:00 Saturday and 08:00 Sunday. Ukrainian defense firm Fire Point also reported that Ukrainian forces had used drones to strike an oil terminal, an oil depot and a data center in St. Petersburg. Fires broke out at the oil depot and the terminal, while the data center sustained severe damage.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces had attacked electrical substations in several regions, including Vinnytsia and Zhytomyr, on Saturday night.
Zelenskyy also said he held a phone call with U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss the outcomes of a meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. representatives held on Oct. 9 in Florida, as well as next steps.
He said the two sides had also discussed the possible provision of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. Zelenskyy added that the Russia-Ukraine conflict must end, emphasizing that the U.S. position is crucial to the process.
Russia reports strikes on Ukrainian facilities, Ukraine says it hit Russian oil terminal
