Vietnam participated in the first ASEAN–China Durian Festival held in Beijing on August 9, organised by the ASEAN–China Centre (ACC) and the embassies of ASEAN member states. The Vietnamese booth presented fresh durian, durian ice cream, durian cakes, and other fruit products, including dragon fruit and passion fruit. The display attracted interest from Beijing residents and ASEAN diplomats.
ACC Secretary-General Shi Zhongjun referred to durian as the "king of tropical fruits," noting its flavour as a reflection of the long-standing China–ASEAN relationship. He stated that agricultural cooperation has been a priority for both parties, with ACC focusing on this area in recent years.
ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for five consecutive years, while China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for 16 years. In 2024, bilateral trade reached CNY 6.99 trillion (about US$973 billion), with agricultural products representing nearly 10% of the total and continuing to grow.
Durian, mangosteen, longan, and dragon fruit from ASEAN have become popular in China, supported by faster customs procedures, competitive prices, and varied distribution networks. Chinese products such as apples, pears, farming equipment, and green agricultural technologies are also contributing to agricultural development in ASEAN countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh said durian is gaining popularity in China and is an important agricultural export for Vietnam. He noted that the festival provides an opportunity to promote Vietnamese durian to both local and international consumers in China.
He added that the event is also a platform for Vietnam to exchange information, share market expansion experiences, and strengthen ASEAN–China cooperation to ensure ASEAN durian maintains a presence in the Chinese market.
Source: VNExpress