Media at horticultural expo get 5G, plus low-tech instruction in flower arranging

During the ongoing International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 in Beijing's Yanqing district, reporters from various local and international media outlets can expect 5G technology coverage and floriculture lectures at the media center.

According to Ma Guoying, deputy head of the publicity and planning department of the expo's coordination bureau, the media center, which opened on April 27, is fully covered by 5G-the fifth-generation wireless network.

"Reporters can get a 4K high-definition view of the expo through the 5G network," she said.

Andres Osorio, a Colombian reporter who arrived on the center's opening day, said it was easy to use.

"For journalists, the internet is useful and fast," he said.

In addition, horticultural activities are available for reporters in the media center at their leisure.

Shi Lei, chief supervisor of the Beijing Flower Arrangement Association, said lectures on flower arrangements are given to reporters every day from 10 am to 12 noon, and from 2 pm to 4:30 pm.

"Friends from the media can do their own bouquets and take them home when they finish their work at the center. It's totally free," he said. "It is a great way for reporters to relax and help them learn more about horticulture through these do-it-yourself bouquets."

He said this was the first time for a media center to present horticultural related activities. "It adds a more human touch to the center," Shi said.

There were also 185 trained volunteers present at the center to provide information to reporters. On her fifth day at the center, Sun Miaochen, a sophomore at Beijing Forestry University, gave out information about transportation and downloads to reporters.

"Actually, I'm a student studying ornamental horticulture, so it's a very special experience for me," she said.

Ji Runyin, a junior at Communication University of China, was impressed with the large scale of the expo.

"I used to feel these large events were far away from my life, which I could only experience by watching the television or the internet," he said. "But now, I'm a participant. It's really amazing to me."

According to the expo's coordination bureau, the media center will open for 164 days.

So far, 3,789 reporters have registered for the expo. Of those, 275 are from overseas news organizations, while 3,514 are from news agencies in China.