Pingtan, a coastal region off Fujian Province (the Chinese mainland's closest point to Taiwan Island), serves multiple key roles: it is a cross-Straits integration pilot zone, a trade and logistics hub, and China's second international tourism island (following Hainan). Recently, this region gained prominence at the 2025 National Famous, Special, High-Quality and New Agricultural Product Supply-Demand Matching Event— a major platform for connecting the country's top farmers and producers.

Pingtan peanuts

At the event, 10 local enterprises from Pingtan showcased 17 products spanning four categories: aquatic goods (seafood products), oilseeds, vegetables, and fruits. Among these offerings, two items stood out and claimed the "Most Popular Product" award: Pingtan peanuts and Hudiegan (butterfly-shaped dried mussels).

Hudiegan (butterfly-shaped dried mussels)

Hudiegan, a beloved staple of Pingtan, is made from sun-dried meat of thick-shelled mussels. It gets its name—meaning "butterfly dried" in Chinese—from its split, wing-like shape. Sourced exclusively from Pingtan's clean, clear coastal waters, this product is a testament to the region's high-quality aquatic resources.

Beyond the award-winning items, Pingtan's on-site tasting booths were a major highlight, drawing large crowds. Visitors flocked to sample a variety of local specialties, including abalone meatballs, Hudiegan stew (a preparation that rehydrates the dried mussel meat to fully release its natural briny flavor), sweet potatoes, dragon fruits, and an array of other abalone-based products—all of which received wide acclaim from attendees.