Dutch floriculture company Anthura has increased its investment in southwestern China's Yunnan Province by establishing a new greenhouse and enlarging the company's production capacity to meet the growing demand for its floral products.
Specializing in breeding and supplying young plants of orchids, bromeliads and anthuriums, Anthura initially established its production base in Songming County of Yunnan's Kunming City in 2006, drawn by the region's favorable climate and improving business environment.
That expansion now reaches a new milestone, a high-tech greenhouse covering 2.7 hectares.
With an investment of around 73 million U.S. dollars, the facility features advanced climate control systems, automated irrigation and intelligent logistics.
"We want to develop more towards a hub in Asia. So from Kunming, we will also do more exports to nearby countries -- Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Korea. That requires (more) production capacity," said Sander Smeding, managing director of Anthura.
In recent years, besides Anthura, companies like Driscoll's, a global berry producer, and Diageo, one of the world's largest spirits companies, have also expanded their presence here, with strong government support.
"Last year, we specifically organized five policy briefing sessions for agricultural foreign-invested enterprises in Yunnan, including a dedicated session on foreign-related legal protection and new plant varieties policy briefings," said Cun Min, vice director of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce.
China's development blueprint for the next five years emphasizes improving the business environment for foreign investment and encouraging reinvestment -- a move expected to lead to more concrete cooperation.
"We are very important trading partners. There are many other areas for cooperation. I mentioned water, and water management. I mentioned the maritime sector where we are both very strong. I would say everything regarding the green transition where you are very strong, where China plays a leading role," said Andre Haspels, Dutch Ambassador to China.
Businesses share such optimism on the ground.
"China develops so fast. Now it goes a little bit less fast. And I think it's only healthy, but the good times will also come again. So we really have confidence in the China market. We still have possibilities to expand further," said Smeding.
For companies like Anthura, China is not just a place to produce but also a market to grow and a partner for long-term development.
Dutch floriculture company upbeat about Chinese market with greater investment
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he estimates a deal with Iran will be signed "in the next day or two."
Trump said in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 News that the United States and Iran will probably meet over the weekend to finalize a deal to end the war. "The Iranians want to meet and make a deal," he said.
He said "the naval blockade on Iran is helping to make a deal. I will not lift it until we make a deal," adding that "the biggest part of this deal is that it will make Israel safer. This deal is good for Israel."
According to the channel, one component of the deal under discussion is that the United States will release 20 billion U.S. dollars in frozen Iranian funds.
In exchange, Iran would give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, and would be only allowed to have nuclear research reactors to produce medical isotopes, all above ground.
Trump also stressed that Israel must stop the strikes on Lebanon, saying, "They can't keep blowing up buildings. I'm not going to allow that."
Also on Friday, Trump said in a phone interview with Bloomberg that a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is mostly complete as talks over a lasting peace deal will "probably" be held this weekend in Pakistan.
Trump said in the phone interview that Iran agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely, and will not receive any frozen funds from the United States.
"Most of the main points are finalized. It'll go pretty quickly," Trump said.
Asked if he would travel to Pakistan to sign the potential deal, Trump said: "I may."
Trump again denied that the moratorium on Iran's nuclear program would expire after 20 years. "No years, unlimited," Trump said.
The United States will get all of Iran's nuclear "dust" with no money having exchanged hands "in any way, shape, or form," Trump wrote on social media earlier on Friday. Multiple Western media outlets have interpreted Trump's reference to nuclear "dust" as meaning Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium.
Iran has yet to comment on any deal beyond the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, nor on claims made by Trump that Tehran had offered concessions, including over the key issue of its nuclear program.
If the United States continues its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will consider it a violation of the ceasefire between the two countries and will close the waterway, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Friday, citing an informed source close to the Supreme National Security Council.
The Iranian side has yet to respond to the media report on the enriched uranium issue.
The United States and Iran had their first round of negotiations in Pakistan's Islamabad last weekend to ease tension in the Middle East. The talks, which failed to produce an agreement, took place after a ceasefire was announced on April 8 between Iran, the United States, and Israel, following 40 days of fighting.
Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on the country on Feb. 28. The United States also imposed a naval blockade on the strait following the failed negotiations in Islamabad.
Earlier on Friday, both Washington and Tehran confirmed that the strait had been completely open for all commercial vessels. However, Trump said on Truth Social that the U.S. naval blockade would "remain in full force." In response, Iran warned of closing the waterway again if the U.S. blockade continues.
Trump says may sign deal with Iran "in the next day or two": Israeli media
Trump claims peace deal with Iran mostly complete: report
