In a groundbreaking development for China’s agricultural sector, Yunnan province has successfully trialed the cultivation of durians, a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia. Known as the ‘king of tropical fruits,’ durians have traditionally been imported from countries like Thailand and Vietnam to meet China’s high demand. However, recent trials in Jinghong city and Mengla county, located in the Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, have yielded promising results. Local farmers, including Jia Guohua from Mengla, have shared videos of their ripened durians, with Jia’s tree producing 16 fruits this year—a surprising outcome from a seed he had discarded a decade ago. This breakthrough could significantly reduce China’s reliance on imports and pave the way for ‘durian freedom,’ making the fruit more accessible and affordable for Chinese consumers. The success of these trials highlights Yunnan’s potential as a key agricultural hub for tropical fruits, offering economic opportunities for local farmers and contributing to food security in the region.