The contract signing session. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]

High-quality seasonal fruits from Guangxi and imported distinctive ASEAN fruits met the public at the 2023 International Fruit Expo, which opened on Sept 1 in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

On that same day, a promotional event on the China-ASEAN Agriculture Products Distribution Center and Guangxi's modern commercial and trade logistics industry chain was also held.

"Guangxi's ecological advantages are priceless. It is the 'orchard' of subtropical fruits in China," said Yang Chunting, director of the Department of Commerce of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Since the beginning of this year, the Department of Commerce of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has organized 18 production and sales matchmaking activities, which have promoted the branding and mass-market development of Guangxi fruit such as lychees and mangoes.

Guangxi is an important fruit base in China. It is also a key logistics hub and distribution center for trade between China and ASEAN countries. In 2022, Guangxi imported 2.73 million metric tons of fruits through its ports, with a total value of 38 billion yuan ($5.2 billion).

The promotion event deepened communication and cooperation between commercial and trade logistics enterprises in Guangxi and Guangdong. It also accelerated the construction of complementary platforms and channel mechanisms for agricultural products in the two regions.

The development and capabilities of the commercial and trade logistics industry will be further enhanced, and a cross-border industrial supply chain value chain that connects ASEAN and countries along the Belt and Road to China will be built.

During the event, a total of five commercial and trade logistics projects were signed, with an intended amount of approximately 1.55 billion yuan.