China to roll out green carpet to showcase the latest horticulture trends

Aerial photo taken on March 26, 2019 shows the night view at the site of the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing China (Expo 2019 Beijing) in Yanqing District of Beijing, capital of China. The 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition is slated to kick off on April 29, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin]

The final preparations are underway for what's being billed as the world's "largest ever" event designed to promote green development.

China is ready to roll out the green carpet to showcase the best that horticulture has to offer at the International Horticultural Expo in Beijing. This colorful display of flowers, plants, food, and landscaping is being held against the background of the Great Wall and the chain of rugged mountains in the town of Yanqing. Exhibitors from about 110 countries and international organizations will be showcasing the latest trends in the gardening world. Organizers expect more than 16 million visitors to walk through the doors during the event, which will run for more than five months starting at the end of April. Gao Yan is the deputy director of the organizing committee.

"The 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Expo is an important part of the big events hosted by China this year, so it has a great political and diplomatic significance. We will spare no effort to make it a world-class event with distinctive features of the times and Chinese characteristics."

The theme for this year's expo is "Live Green. Live Better." Visitors will be treated to over 40 outdoor exhibition gardens that each represents aspects of a different country's unique culture and history. There will also be over 100 gardens containing fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Jiao Yutong is with the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Coordination Bureau.

"So far, the construction of over 30 gardens has been completed and now we are arranging the plants and the indoor exhibits. As for the remaining gardens, the workers are working overtime to finish the construction on time."

Construction at the China pavilion, the International pavilion, and the Live Experience Center is almost complete. The China pavilion is at the center of the expo site. Its building is curved in a shape that resembles the 'ruyi', a traditional Chinese scepter. Ye Dahua with the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Coordination Bureau says they are now making the final touches.

"Now the construction of the major pavilions has finished and the arrangement work is in the sprint stage. Next we will conduct comprehensive tests."

The secretary general of the International Association of Horticultural Producers, Tim Briercliffe, says the Beijing expo will teach visitors about the importance of greening and having plants in their lives. He says the expo provides an exciting opportunity to demonstrate to the world the latest thinking and new ideas on how plants and landscapes can improve people's lives.