As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, zongzi, or sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves or reed leaves, made in Jiaxing in East China's Zhejiang province, have seen a surge in exports. 

As a signature treat of the traditional festival, Jiaxing zongzi boasts a long history and is popular among tourists for its delicious taste and convenience.

Workers at Zhejiang Wufangzhai Industry Co were busy preparing shipments on June 16, with production lines operating at full speed. Each stage, from wrapping and steaming to packaging and quality inspection, is seamlessly coordinated, ensuring batches of zongzi are exported overseas under customs supervision.

In recent years, Chinese festive foods have gained international popularity through social media. Zongzi, for example, not only evokes nostalgia among overseas Chinese but also serves as a cultural ambassador. "This year, our zongzi exports exceeded 120 batches, with over 5,000 boxes shipped in a single day," said Shen Qian, manager of the International Business Center at Wufangzhai.

Jiaxing Customs has supported this export surge by providing a green channel for inspections and guidance on international standards to help ensure food safety. 

To date, Jiaxing Customs has overseen exports of more than 300 tons of zongzi, valued at over 10 million yuan ($1.5 million), a year-on-year increase of over 100 percent. The products have reached more than 10 countries, including Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Korea.