China imports first batch of fresh coconuts from Indonesia (2025)

The first batch of 200-kilogram fresh coconuts imported from Indonesia arrived in Fuzhou, the capital city of east China's Fujian Province, on Saturday.

The arrival of the imported coconuts is the latest highlight of the deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and Indonesia this year, which marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In November 2024, the General Administration of Customs announced that it would allow imports of fresh coconuts from Indonesia that meet relevant requirements.

"This batch of coconuts comes from Sumatra Island in Indonesia, where the volcanic soil and rainforest ecosystem produce sweet, abundant coconut water ideal for direct consumption. The coconuts will be released to the market promptly after passing inspection," said Lin Zhengrong, business manager of a food company covering coconut processing in Fujian.

In recent years, China's coconut imports have shown an upward trend, and its import markets are becoming increasingly diversified, now including Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. China's huge market demand provides broad export space for coconuts from Indonesia, which is one of the world's largest coconut producers.

"China's vast market demand has created significant export opportunities for Indonesian coconuts, not only boosting Indonesia's coconut industry but also driving the growth of related sectors in China, including coconut processing and logistics. Currently, four production lines at the China-Indonesia Coconut Industrial Park in Fuzhou are already in operation," said Song Jing, deputy director of Rongcheng Customs Office in Fuqing.

According to customs statistics, the volume of bilateral trade between China and Indonesia exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about 138.72 billion U.S. dollars) for the first time in 2024. In January and February 2025, the volume totaled 172.57 billion yuan, up 4.7 percent year on year.

Hubei Province in central China inaugurated its first major low-altitude aircraft testing facility at Zhushan General Airport on Tuesday, marking a significant advancement in China's burgeoning low-altitude economy sector.

The launching ceremony saw 18 leading low-altitude enterprises signing strategic cooperation agreements with Zhushan County government.

As one of Hubei's four operational A1-category general airports, Zhushan General Airport has established itself as an ideal testing ground with its exceptional airspace conditions and stable environment for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) trials.

The newly launched facility features a cutting-edge Integrated Communication and Sensing (ICS) flight management platform, powered by the fifth-generation advanced (5G-A) technology and capable of supporting comprehensive testing scenarios for micro, light, medium and large UAVs. "With this test base, the drone R-and-D and manufacturing companies in Hubei Province have a pass to the market. This will provide final product qualitative evaluation for the low-altitude economy in Shiyan City and even the entire province, especially the research, development, manufacturing and production of drones. It will also provide capacity and resource reserves for the large-scale development scenarios of the low-altitude economy in Hubei Province," said Zhou Hanqing, director of the Zhushan County airport administration office.

Two new short-haul passenger routes were announced at the event, linking the Zhushan airport to Hannan and Yichang in Hubei.

The project aligns with China's strategic push to cultivate its low-altitude economy, estimated to reach two trillion yuan by 2030.