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John Steenhuisen (L), South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, and Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng attend a signing ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, April 10, 2026. Steenhuisen on Friday welcomed the amendment of cold treatment requirements regulating the export of South African citrus to China, saying the move will help expand trade opportunities and deepen bilateral agricultural cooperation. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)

JOHANNESBURG, April 10 (Xinhua) -- South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen on Friday welcomed the amendment of cold treatment requirements regulating the export of South African citrus to China, saying the move will help expand trade opportunities and deepen bilateral agricultural cooperation.

Speaking during a signing ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria, Steenhuisen said the updated phytosanitary arrangement would improve export efficiency, reduce logistics costs and enhance the competitiveness of South African citrus in the Chinese market.

South Africa places a high value on its relationship with China, which continues to create meaningful opportunities across the agricultural sector, said the minister, noting that "these agreements are the result of trust, respect and sustained cooperation, and they are helping open doors for our producers at a time when diversification has never been more important."

Noting that China remains one of South Africa's most valued agricultural trading partners, he said the country's citrus industry supports about 140,000 direct jobs and the continued expansion of citrus exports consequently plays a crucial role in sustaining rural livelihoods and driving inclusive economic growth.

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng praised South African citrus for its excellent quality and said it complements China's domestic production through its counter-seasonal supply.

"That is a very positive contribution to Chinese consumers' fruit baskets. With China's huge market of 1.4 billion people, our cooperation has enormous potential and bright prospects," he said.

Wu noted that China will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for products from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties with China starting May 1, and will further expand access for African exports by upgrading the "green channel" and adopting additional facilitation measures.

South African agricultural products, including citrus, will benefit from both zero tariffs and optimized quarantine standards when exported to China, he said.