Chinese ice cream companies are scrambling to increase their exports to foreign countries to meet the growing market demand as the hot summer heats up.
A food company in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province has made business dealings with many Southeast Asian countries so far in the current summer season, with the latest shipment of cold snacks worth 1.26 million yuan (about 175,600 U.S. dollars) bound to Vietnam.
"As ice cream is a remarkably seasonal snack, we used to have the peak production season from January to August in previous years. To extend the peak season, we have kept expanding our overseas market. At present, Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore are our main target markets," said Wang Hongling, general manager of the company.
The manager said that export of ice cream has become an important way for her enterprise to achieve sales growth.
In addition, with the recent issuance of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Certificate of Origin by the customs administration, products exported to Southeast Asian countries can enjoy a 30-percent tariff discount, further enhancing the competitiveness of the products in overseas markets.
In addition to the Southeast Asian market, an ice cream manufacturing enterprise in Changde City of central China's Hunan Province has targeted Middle East countries for market expansion, at which seven production lines are operating at full capacity to produce over 40,000 boxes of various ice creams every day.
In early July, the company delivered the first shipment of 5,712 kilograms of ice cream to the Middle East. With the help of a convenient logistics and transportation system, it only took 15 days for the ice cream products made in China to reach supermarkets in Saudi Arabia.
Summer heat prompts increased Chinese ice cream exports
Summer heat prompts increased Chinese ice cream exports
Summer heat prompts increased Chinese ice cream exports
Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Italy and Greece on Saturday to protest against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, with protesters in Rome, Milan and Athens condemning Washington's actions and calling for respect for Venezuelan sovereignty.
In Rome, more than 1,000 demonstrators marched toward the area near the U.S. Embassy, calling on Washington to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Police blocked roads around the embassy to prevent protesters from approaching the building, but demonstrators continued to denounce U.S. actions.
"First of all, we oppose U.S. imperialist aggression. This kind of behavior is shameful. The U.S. is attacking a sovereign country, and as [U.S. President Donald] Trump himself has said, this is for oil interests," said protester Giovanni Barbera.
Saturday's rally marked the second large-scale protest in Rome this month against U.S. military operations in Venezuela, following an earlier one on on Jan 3.
Participants included members of multiple political parties, labor unions and social organizations. The protesters held banners reading "Stop imperialist interference" and "Free Maduro," urging the international community to respect Venezuela's sovereignty and the will of its people, and condemning the U.S. for violating international law.
"We are protesting the way the U.S. handles international politics. Since the events of January 3, we have seen violations of international law, and we are very concerned about how the global situation is developing," said protester Stefano De Angelis.
Organizers said solidarity rallies in support of Venezuela were held in 30 Italian cities on the same day.
Meanwhile, similar protests were also staged in Greece. About 200 people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Athens, voicing support for Venezuela and opposition to U.S. military actions.
"We oppose U.S. imperialism and its attack on Venezuela. At the same time, the U.S. is also threatening Cuba, Mexico and Greenland. We must stand up against this behavior," said Greek protester Argiro Sirmakezi.
Protesters rally in Italy, Greece against U.S. military operation in Venezuela
