Some Chinese Online Media Report Import at $567 per Ton and Export at $4,165 per Ton in China
State Media Covers 30th Anniversary of Korea-China Diplomatic Relations, Highlighting Kimchi from Economic Perspective
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media reported on the 22nd that South Korea's imports of Chinese-made Kimchi reached 67,940 tons in the first quarter. Chinese-made Kimchi has recently sparked public outrage due to issues related to its origin and hygiene.
Chinese media stated that the volume of Chinese-made Kimchi imports is six times that of South Korea's Kimchi exports. In the first quarter, South Korea exported a total of 11,181 tons of Kimchi.
Chinese media explained that the price per ton of South Korean exported Kimchi is 4,165 USD, while the price per ton of imported Kimchi is 567 USD. They also reported that South Korea's Kimchi trade surplus amounts to 385.05 billion USD. Chinese media added that all the Kimchi imported by South Korea is Chinese-made.
They also detailed South Korea's Kimchi export destinations by country. Japan ranked first with 24.72 million USD, a 67.9% increase compared to the same period last year, followed by the United States with 8.46 million USD (an 80.6% increase), and Hong Kong with 2.43 million USD (a 50.3% increase).
Although limited, the tone of Chinese media suggests that South Korea profits by importing cheap Chinese-made Kimchi and then exporting it. Simply put, they are envious that Korea imports inexpensive domestic Kimchi and exports it at a higher price.
Also, seemingly aware of recent criticisms regarding the unhygienic manufacturing process of Chinese-made Kimchi, they claimed that most of the Kimchi consumed by Koreans is Chinese-made.
The Chinese state-run Global Times also reported on South Korea's Kimchi exports. The Global Times described South Korea's Kimchi imports as a good example showing that the two countries can cooperate more for the economic recovery of the Northeast Asian region.
In this regard, Li Tianguo, a trade expert and professor at the International Strategy Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "Chinese cabbage has price competitiveness," adding, "Many Korean restaurants use a lot of Chinese-made Kimchi, which is of excellent quality and low price." He continued, "China and South Korea are currently conducting the second phase of the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations," and said, "The two countries need to seek mutually complementary and sustainable cooperation measures."
Professor Li also emphasized, "The COVID-19 pandemic is an obstacle to economic growth in Northeast Asia and worldwide," stressing that economic and trade cooperation between China and South Korea is more important at this time.
The Global Times, conscious of the controversy over the origin of Kimchi, reported that although there are differing voices between the two countries regarding the origin of Kimchi, it does not affect consumers' purchasing choices.
Considering the upcoming 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China, it appears that the state-run media, unlike other Chinese media, reported only the advantages of Kimchi trade between the two countries.
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