The Philippines' local media said banana exporters have been complaining to their government. Their bananas have been stocked in China's ports since a ban went into effect. So far, they've lost over $23 million. Government representatives are heading to China to discuss how to meet Chinese quality standards.

Local Philippine media said representatives from their agriculture department are heading to China to discuss how to meet China's quality standards.

China's quality watchdog recently issued a ban on bananas shipped from the Philippines. The ban came after insects were discovered in bananas imports.

Francis Chua, honorary president of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce, said, "This problem existed before the Huangyan Island issue. We express sympathy to Fillipino banana growers. China has been their only market. They can't find a new market over a night."

Phillipine bananas piled up in ports like Dalian and Shanghai are decaying. What's worse, the Huangyan Island issue is also making Chinese customers reluctant to buy.

Francis suggested the Philippine media stop making noises on the Huangyan Island issue.

"Leave the problem to the two governments. I think we're meddling with the matter, and that won't have a good effect," Francis said.

Data shows that nearly 85 percent of China's banana imports are from the Philippines. Fruit experts said China remained a huge market for bananas even in the global financial crisis several years ago. And that was a golden opportunity for fruit exporters in the Philippines.

(CNTV.cn May 17, 2012)