Shanxi makes its mark at center of horticulture expo

Shanxi province will use horticulture as a medium to promote the region's green industrial development and boost business opportunities, a senior official said on Sunday during the ongoing International Horticultural Exhibition at the foot of the Great Wall of China in Beijing's Yanqing district.

He made the remarks at the beginning of Shanxi Day, one of a series of 34 provincial-level regional day events at the expo. The special event kicked off on Sunday and concludes on Tuesday.

Shanxi has made big progress in recent years in green development and promoting ecological civilization, said He Tiancai, vice-governor of the province. It's one of several areas in China where dry loess soil has turned lush green.

"We would like to use this opportunity to bring in more high-quality green development elements to create a more sustainable province," he said.

Various activities are being held in and out of the Guirui Theater, the main performance theater at the expo park, including some exhibits promoting products from Shanxi.

Lu Pengqi, vice-president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said Shanxi has made steady progress in green development and building an ecological civilization. As a key energy and industrial base, it has striven to follow a sustainable road in saving energy, Lu said, adding that he also hopes the province will use the opportunity to share its experience with others.

Flower production in the province soared last year, said Liu Zhuohui, vice-chair of the China Flower Association. As of the end of 2018, the flower production area in the province had reached 7,490 hectares valued at 1.6 billion yuan ($233 million).

Blossoms from Shanxi, such as the plum and chrysanthemum, are also featured in the Shanxi garden, attracting thousands of visitors during the three-day event.

Covering an area of 3,000 square meters, the garden is located at the center of the expo park, near the China Pavilion.

Alexandra Garcia, a student in her 20s from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, said she was excited to see the Shanxi garden, especially the miniature landscape of the province.

"The expo is a good way for me to learn about some deep-rooted traditional culture from different places," she said. "I hope to visit and tour the province soon after viewing so many activities."

The expo runs until Oct 7. More than 110 countries and international organizations, as well as 120 nongovernmental organizations and provincial or local exhibitors, will show their latest floricultural techniques through 100 gardens.