Imported fruit sweetens winter in western China

LANZHOU - There weren't many options for consumers in inland cities in the winter when buying fruit. However, besides common fruit like apples and oranges, more tropical fruit has hit China's western regions since the fruit market has been opening wider to the world.

Chen Lipeng, 29, has worked for a fruit market in the city of Lanzhou, capital of Northwest China's Gansu province, for several years. He said it was uncommon to see tropical fruit in the market, and if they did appear, they would be extremely expensive.

"But now, dragon fruit from Vietnam and Chilean cherries are very popular items in the winter," Chen said.