Chen Jianxian: Sharing “Lianjiang Flavors” with the World
Chen Jianxian.
At this year’s Fuzhou Fisheries Expo, Fujian Ruiyun Food Co., Ltd. was honored with the “Gold Award Enterprise” title, while Baisheng Razor Clams and Lianjiang Pork Wontons received the title of “Gold Award Products.” These achievements stand as a testament to the dedication and hard work of Chen Jianxian, General Manager of Ruiyun Food.
Upon entering Ruiyun Food, located in the Lianjiang Economic Development Zone, you’ll notice a variety of prestigious plaques, including “National High-Tech Enterprise,” “Fujian Time-Honored Brand,” “Provincial Key Leading Enterprise in Agricultural Industrialization,” and “Core Enterprise of China’s Fish Ball City.” Among them, the plaque for “Chen Jianxian, Inheritor of Fish Ball Making Skills, the Seventh Batch of Intangible Cultural Heritage Projects in Lianjiang,” newly added in 2024, stands out prominently.
“This honor represents four generations of my family’s dedication to preserving and passing down the skills of fish ball making,” Chen Jianxian told the reporter. He explained that the history of Ruiyun Food dates back to 1904. Originally, Chen Zhentian, a villager from Baisheng Village, Xiaoao Town in Lianjiang, opened a small eatery called “Ruiyun Eatery,” which specialized in handcrafted fish balls, fish fillets, fish paste, and other local specialties. The business quickly flourished. In the next generation, Chen Jianxian’s parents established a seafood processing factory and expanded the market for their fish balls to the United States. They eventually founded the company, marking the beginning of its industrialization. In 2018, Chen Jianxian took over from his predecessors, injecting fresh energy into the development of Ruiyun Food.
In the production workshop at Ruiyun Food, the automated production line runs efficiently at high speed. Baisheng razor clams are automatically processed, cleaned, and neatly arranged, ready for high-temperature boiling and packaging. They are then moved along a conveyor belt into the liquid nitrogen quick-freezing chamber... “Thanks to the powerful liquid nitrogen freezing technology, operating at -196°C, we can freeze Baisheng razor clams on a large scale while preserving their freshness in a matter of moments,” said Chen Jianxian.
“We place a strong emphasis on the consumption habits of young people and continuously innovate our products to meet their needs. For instance, we launched ‘Ruiyun Baisheng Clams,’ specifically designed to appeal to younger consumers, and it received an overwhelmingly positive response right after its launch,” said Chen Jianxian. He also led his team to prominent industry events like the Seafood Expo North America in Boston, the Anuga Select China in Shenzhen, and the China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo, actively working to expand their market presence.
“In the first half of this year, our products have successfully reached markets in the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries, with nearly 800 tons sold and a revenue of approximately 50 million yuan,” said Chen Jianxian. He hopes that more “Lianjiang flavors” will make their mark abroad, helping to boost Lianjiang’s global reputation as the “World’s Fishing Capital.” (Fuzhou Evening News Reporter Zheng Ruiyang; Correspondent Fu Yulan/Text, Reporter Chi Yuan/Photo)