Against the backdrop of deepening global economic integration, China's continuous expansion of openness has created favorable conditions for specialty products from developing countries to enter its market. Since late 2024, China has implemented zero-tariff treatment on 100% of product categories for all least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations, bringing new development opportunities to various specialty industries worldwide. The International Food Exhibition will offer more information about import and export.

New Opportunities for Southeast Asia's Rubber Industry

At the Boten Station of the China-Laos Railway, trains loaded with natural rubber depart daily for China. Since its inauguration in 2021, this international rail artery has reduced cross-border freight costs between China and Laos by 40-50%. "After the zero-tariff policy took effect, our product turnover efficiency improved significantly, and inventory pressure decreased noticeably," said Thongmani, production supervisor at Vientiane Rubber Processing Factory.

Statistics show China's natural rubber imports from Laos grew 32.8% year-on-year in the first eleven months of 2024. Experts from Laos' Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute noted this policy not only lowered export costs but also promoted local industrial upgrading. Yang Xi, deputy general manager of Vientiane Agricultural Development Group, reported their rubber operations in Laos have created over 100,000 jobs and helped local farmers achieve stable income growth.

African Specialty Agricultural Products Expand in Chinese Market

In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Future Enterprise's honey production lines are operating at full capacity. "We specially imported small packaging equipment preferred by Chinese consumers to better adapt Tanzania's 'sweetness' to the Chinese market," said company founder Mboneera. The first batch of 10 tons of Tanzanian honey successfully entered China late last year, bringing new hope to the country's 2 million beekeeping practitioners.

Meanwhile, premium lamb from Madagascar made its debut in the Chinese market. China-Madagascar Animal Husbandry has helped local herders improve breeding techniques and product quality through its "company + cooperative + farmer" model. Herder Issara reported, "After joining the cooperative, my income doubled, and I now plan to further expand my breeding scale."

Open Policies Promote Mutual Development

The International Food Exhibition notes that these success stories demonstrate the multiple benefits of China's market openness. While providing Chinese consumers with more high-quality imported goods, these policies also promote industrial upgrading and livelihood improvements in exporting countries. A Madagascar agriculture official stated, "China's market openness has created more employment opportunities for us, tangibly improving people's welfare."

Experts note that with the deepening implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and strengthened regional economic cooperation, China's mutually beneficial collaboration with developing countries will embrace broader prospects. More specialty products are expected to achieve rapid market access from production origins to Chinese consumers through China's open policies.

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Source: People’s Daily

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