Farmers in Chencun bring in Chinese orchid from Taiwan. Now in Chencun, there are orchid with different types and colors. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Chencun Town, located in the Shunde District of Foshan City in Guangdong Province, enjoys a long history in horticulture. It is the world famous hometown to various kinds of flowers and plants. To boost the flower industry on the road of intensive production, industrialization and international trade, it was established as a major horticultural products market in 1998. Assembling the functions of production, sales, scientific research, training, information, import and export, exhibition, development and tourism.

In September and October 2001, The Fifth China Flower Exposition was successfully held in Chencun. The 10-day Exposition attracted more than 1.6 million visitors. Participants included 20 overseas private firms from and 31 provinces and cities.

Chencun the World of Flower Co., Ltd is one of the organizers of this expo. The products and services they offer feature flower or tree seeds, seedlings, potted flowers, bonsais, foliage plants, Chinese orchids, cattleya, virescence trees and horticultural facilities. Since it is the largest horticulture enterprise in south China, it drives the development of whole of south China's flower industry. In 2006, the flower trade amounted to $1.3 billion. The export amount was 20 million and was mainly exported to Japan, the Netherlands, United States, South Korea, Africa and other southeast Asian countries.

Zhou Yue, Deputy General Manager of Chencun the World of Flower Co., Ltd, tells us that the expo brought the town great profit.

"Chencun became well-known through this expo. After the expo, farmers in Chencun began to bring in various kinds of flowers from overseas and learnt how to cultivate in a more scientific way. Meanwhile, they brought their own flowers to the world. Now in Chencun, we have different local expos every year to promote flower trade. It has become the largest concentration of flowers within south east Asia."