Free trade agreement drives sustained trade expansion between China, Ecuador

China

Free trade agreement drives sustained trade expansion between China, Ecuador

2025-05-02 18:01 Last Updated At：22:27

The China-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has served as a key driver for sustained trade expansion between the two countries since its implementation in 2023, with Ecuador exports to China becoming increasingly diversified.

China and Ecuador signed the FTA on May 11, 2023, and it went into effect on May 1, 2024. Ecuador is China's 27th free trade partner and its fourth in Latin America.

According to the General Administration of Customs of China, trade between the two countries reached 3.915 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of this year, up 34.17 percent year on year. Of that, China's imports from Ecuador rose 42.8 percent to 2.339 billion dollars.

Ecuador has remained a major supplier of shrimp to China. In the first quarter, Ecuador's shrimp exports to China came in at 1.09 billion dollars (roughly 7.9 billion yuan), accounting for more than 70 percent of China's total shrimp imports.

"The FTA has not only allowed Ecuador to deepen its trade relationship with China and export our shrimp, but also enabled us to bring in China's top-tier technologies, making our production more efficient. Some shrimp farms have automated their production processes and adopted advanced telecommunications and clean energy technologies, boosting productivity and their capacity to supply the Chinese market," said Jose Antonio Camposano, executive president of the National Chamber of Aquaculture.

Ecuador is also one of the world's top growers and exporters of roses, known for their large buds and vibrant colors. With the FTA in effect, Ecuadorian flower growers are seeking to expand their presence in China.

"We really hope to boost our exports to China. With zero tariffs, we are now more competitive," said Haus, an Ecuadorian rose grower.

Beyond shrimp and flowers, more Ecuadorian goods, such as cocoa, yellow pitaya, and tuna, are entering the Chinese market at a faster pace. At the same time, Chinese machinery, electrical equipment, automobiles and components are gaining increasing influence in Ecuador.

Since the FTA came into effect a year ago, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has continued to deepen, fueling a rapid increase in exports of various quality Ecuadorian products to China, according to Andres Robalino Jaramillo, vice minister of the country's Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries.

"China is the world's second-largest economy, with a population of 1.4 billion and huge purchasing power. Signing an FTA with China opens up new development prospects for us. We believe we will achieve even more in the coming years," he said.

Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran

Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.

Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.

At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.

"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.

With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.

"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.

"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.

With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.

"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.