Fruit of better relations is higher, quicker imports

Banana importer Xue Xin is expecting a huge boost to his business in the wake of thawing of relations between China and the Philippines.

"Last year, we imported 4,000 FEUs (forty-foot equivalent units) of bananas, mostly from Ecuador. Thanks to the improving relationship between the two countries, we're buying more bananas from the Philippines now," said Xue, president of Dalian Ruihua Everfresh Trade Co Ltd. "The total import volume might increase by 30 percent."

Trade between the two countries has seen remarkable growth over the past several months, since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to Beijing last October.