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
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for enhanced bilateral cooperation and friendship with Singapore when he met with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Monday.
Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the long-term and stable development of China-Singapore relations has benefited from the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, who have upheld the correct political direction.
The two sides should continue to enhance mutual trust, respect each other's core interests, and ensure the steady and sustained progress of their friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.
Gan said that Singapore highly values its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China principle, opposes the secessionist forces in Taiwan, and is willing to maintain close exchanges with China at all levels to promote greater development of bilateral relations.
Ding and Gan co-chaired four China-Singapore mechanism meetings on bilateral cooperation, namely, the 21st meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 26th meeting of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council, the 17th meeting of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council, and the ninth meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council.
They comprehensively reviewed and summarized the progress of practical cooperation between the two countries, clarifying the direction and priorities for cooperation in the next stage.
Both sides agreed to deepen the alignment of development plans, promote the upgrading of major projects, cultivate and strengthen new quality productive forces, jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, and better promote the development of both countries and the prosperity and stability of the region.
Following the meetings, Ding and Gan witnessed together the exhibition of achievements in China-Singapore cooperation, and attended the launching ceremony of two freight trains under the China-Singapore Multi-modal Demonstration Project. They also visited the comprehensive exhibition hall of China-Singapore interconnectivity projects and Chongqing digital city operation and governance center.
At the invitation of Ding, Gan is on a visit to China from December 15 to 16.
Chinese vice premier calls for enhanced cooperation with Singapore
