South African businesses are bringing more products to China International Import Expo (CIIE), adding snails and avocados among the featured products, as the expo continues to expand its client base and provide fresh opportunities.
As one of the major participating countries in the CIIE, South Africa has been showcasing their products at the expo for consecutive years, and has seen many local exhibitors benefit.
Peter Jordan, a business representative who participated in last year's CIIE, praised the expo as an exceptional venue for South African businesses to expand their connection and reach the global market.
"As a South African company, we were blessed to go there last year to the expo. It's a fantastic platform for companies from all over the world. I really think that China is doing a fantastic job by opening it up, so the imports can come into China. And this expo is a fantastic opportunity where we can meet with new people, new customers, and new friends," said Jordan.
In addition to its world-famous exports like rooibos tea and wine, South African exhibitors are bringing diversified products with local appeal, such as avocados and snails.
Vernich Kolonye, who runs a commercial snail farm, expressed excitement about presenting his offerings in China for the first time.
"We are a commercial snail farm. We are very very fortunate to be chosen by them to attend the expo. It gives us, as a small business, an enormous opportunity to present our products in China, at the expo in Shanghai," said Kolonye.
S African exhibitors bring new products to CIIE for opportunities
A new direct passenger flight route from Ningbo City of east China's Zhejiang Province to Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh opened on Wednesday, which also marked the first international flight out of the city's airport in 2025.
The new flight departs from the Ningbo Lishe International Airport at 13:30 and takes just under four and a half hours to reach the Cambodian capital. Operated by Cambodian airlines, it is scheduled to fly every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with the return flight departing Phnom Penh at 07:40 local time on the same days.
The direct route provides an important travel option for tourists, especially those from Ningbo and the surrounding areas. Pang Cuili, a Ningbo resident who had to transit in Shanghai for a midnight arrival in Phnom Penh, said the new service now offers much greater convenience.
"We'll fly at 13:30 and arrive at around 16:50. It’s very convenient [timing] for us to check into the hotel after arriving," she said.
As the capital and largest city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh has long been an important international aviation hub in Southeast Asia, with the new route giving a further boost to the economic and cultural exchanges between Ningbo and ASEAN countries.
"Today marks the first flight of Ningbo Airport's regular direct passenger service to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The opening of this route is also an important move for the airport to help implement the Belt and Road Initiative, enriching international passenger transport routes, and further speeding up the recovery of the international market," said Chen Qiaoyu, manager of the Market Development Department at the Ningbo Lishe International Airport.
As Cambodia Airlines' first route out of Ningbo Airport, the new service also signals the airline's broader plans to connect various parts of China with Cambodia in the coming year.
Ningbo airport launches first direct flight to Phnom Penh
