The Xi'an International Horticultural Exposition's organizing committee has even more reason than just the expo itself, to congratulate themselves.

They signed a cooperation memorandum with the Taipei International Flora Exposition, this past July, which hit a new high point in exchange programs between the mainland and Taiwan.

"This cooperation can be seen as another great event, following the opening of a direct air link between Xi'an and Taipei, in 2008. That raised communication between the two cities to a higher level," said Wang Jun, head of publicity for the Xi'an Party committee who went on to call it a "match made in heaven".

Wang said the two cities will work together to promote a green lifestyle during their respective expositions.

"In addition to showing different approaches to gardening and culture, the shows are expected to have the mutual benefit of strengthening economic, tourist, and cultural development."

The experience of hosting a large event can be shared and this is helpful in improving operational and management ability, Wang noted.

More cooperation

Hao Longbin, Taipei's mayor, emphasized the tourist attractions of Xi'an, with historical elements like the terracotta warriors. He said he hopes that these relics, which embody Chinese culture, have the chance to be enjoyed by the people of Taipei.

Greater, in-depth cooperation is expected in field of marketing, Hao commented.

The two cities will have their own pavilions at each other's exposition, along with Culture Week activities.

At Xi'an's Culture Week, for instance, visitors can see the art of the paper-cut, listen to classical music, and see calligraphy, films and other local culture.

Meanwhile, work on a Xi'an pavilion for the Taipei exposition, called the "Xi'an courtyard", has been completed.

Wang said the people of Taipei can enjoy the characteristics of Xi'an garden architecture and sculptures, in the courtyard. Visitors will be surrounded by various plants and flowers, like rare peonies, the Chinese dove tree (the "panda of plants"), and persimmon trees, whose name has the sense of "everything goes well".

There is a place for visitors to write their impressions of the exhibit. Wang explained that, "The idea originates with the Tang Dynasty, when aspirants at the imperial examination (a sort of civil service exam) would write their names on Xi'an's Yanta Tower for good luck."

Taipei's Straits Exchange Foundation's director general Chiang Pin-kung joined the city's mayor in visiting the courtyard before it opened to the public, and expressed his approval of it.

A Taipei pavilion, for the Xi'an exposition, is under construction.

These two most unusual horticultural gatherings have a connection with the International Association of Horticultural Producers.

(China Daily 01/03/2011 page12)