New cases shine on Xinfadi market

Vast trading area in capital boasts proud history

The new cluster of COVID-19 cases detected in Beijing has focused domestic and global attention on the sprawling Xinfadi agriculture wholesale market in the southwest part of the city.

Covering an area the size of 170 soccer fields, the complex supplies more than 80 percent of the capital's agricultural produce.

People say Beijing has two places that never sleep－the Sanlitun restaurant, bar and entertainment area and Xinfadi, where vegetable and fruit sellers start trading as early as 3 am.

However, the market was previously only known mainly by workers in the farm produce industry and elderly people living nearby shopping for low-price vegetables.

Now, a huge number of people worldwide know of the venue due to the growing number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Beijing.

As of Wednesday, there were 158 such cases in the city. The first new local infection was reported on June 11.

Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a news conference on Thursday that all these cases are linked to the Xinfadi market in Fengtai district.

Two days after the first confirmed case was reported, the market closed temporarily when more infections related to the venue were found. The first confirmed case involved a person who had visited the complex to buy food.

By Sunday, more than 8,000 people who trade or shop at the market had received nucleic acid tests and been transferred to isolation locations for medical observation.

Some 200,000 people are estimated to have visited the market since May 30, based on a citywide data collection campaign conducted by communities. All of them will be given nucleic acid testing and will remain at home in self-isolation.

Before the latest cases occurred, Xinfadi was known affectionately as the capital's "giant veggie basket" and "fruit platter".

It is worthy of such labeling. Last year, more than 17 million metric tons of produce was traded at the market, with a turnover of 132 billion yuan ($18.6 million).

Out of more than 4,600 domestic agricultural product wholesale markets, Xinfadi has ranked in first place for 17 consecutive years in terms of trading volume and turnover.

Founded on May 16, 1988, the market has expanded rapidly in tandem with the country's economic growth.

Initially, there were just 15 management staff members at the market, which was basically a bazaar standing on 1 hectare of land. The startup capital was 150,000 yuan.

During the past 32 years, many vendors have transformed their lives by working at Xinfadi.

Prices at the market are low and the paperwork is easy, which has attracted a large number of vendors from nearby districts and neighboring cities. As a result, the venue's size and trading volume have grown annually.

In 2002 and 2003, as the capital prepared to host the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, several downtown wholesale markets had to relocate to improve both traffic and environmental conditions.

Many vendors who worked at these markets decided to move to Xinfadi, which lies about 20 kilometers southwest of the city center.

The market gradually became known for its fresh farm produce.

Li Tingzhen, who lives in a residential building near the venue, said he is among the first to visit it most days to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.

He also likes going to morning markets, but as their numbers are declining, he feels that he can get a similar experience at Xinfadi.

"Buying such produce early in the morning at Xinfadi makes me happy. It feels rewarding－as though my life has been enriched," he said.