The world's largest producer of peonies -- Heze of east China's Shandong Province -- will stage its 12th international peony exhibition from April 18 to May 8.
Heze Mayor Du Changwen told a weekend press conference in Beijing that a variety of activities, including a fair for forest products, trade talks and art performances, will accompany the exhibition.
The peony harvests had improved local living standards by stimulating tourism and creating export income.
Residents of Heze began holding a peony festival in 1992.
"The peony show is not only about flowers. Economic and trade exchanges will be emphasized during the festival," said Du. "We hope to find the best trading partners through the fair."
Heze, located in eastern Shandong Province, has long been famous for peonies, the noble flower regarded by many Chinese.
Its farmers hold 78 per cent of the domestic peony market and 85 per cent of the country's exports of the flower, municipal government sources said.
(China Daily February 17, 2003)
