Colombia President Ivan Duque announced July 31 on his state visit to China that Chinese President Xi Jinping signed protocol deals that eventually will boost exports of Colombian bananas, avocados, coffee, meats and shellfish to China.

Initial deals enable export of 4 million boxes of bananas (mainly produced in Antioquia) and 960 tons of Haas avocados to China this year, according to the announcement.

Further initial agreements “open up the possibility for us to have greater exports of Colombian coffee,” according to President Duque.

In addition, the Chinese government announced that it will grant 100 full academic scholarships so that more young Colombians can study in the best Chinese universities.

On another front, a new communications deal will enable exporters “to use the electronic commerce platforms of the People's Republic of China to offer Colombian products,” according to the announcement.

As for the possibility of expanding Chinese tourism to Colombia, President Duque said he talked to President Xi about a project that eventually would open a direct flight between China and Colombia.

“Chinese tourism in Colombia barely represents 0.5% of our visitors,” according to President Duque. “Last year [2018], we had only about 15,000 Chinese visitors to the country, and that figure can be multiplied,” he added.