China and Latin American partners enjoy trade boom

Steady rise in exports and imports between two sides reveals benefits of strengthening bilateral relationship

BEIJING - It's among the busiest seasons of the year - and not just in China, where people are shopping for the upcoming Lunar New Year.

On the other side of the globe, Chilean cherry farmers and exporters are preparing for their busiest season, as well. Like many other Latin American products, the juicy fruit has become a favorite of China's rapidly expanding middle class. Today, more than 80 percent of Chile's cherry exports are bound for the Chinese market, a strong contribution to surging bilateral trade.