Flowers renew Netherlands, Qingdao ties

A flower exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level between the Netherlands and China was held in Qingdao, Shandong province, from Friday to Monday.

Residents had the chance to appreciate some 30,000 flowers, including tulips, lilies, roses and African daisies, all of which were displayed in the shape of the logo signifying the 50 years of relations between two countries in the city's Olympic Sailing Center.

The logo, designed as a tribute to the significance of water, is based on the flow of water, according to Roderick Wols, deputy head of mission at the embassy of the Netherlands.

He said via video at the expo's opening ceremony that the lines of the logo symbolize the splitting of a river, while at the same time looking like the Chinese character ren, meaning person.

"One recurring essence that flows through the Netherlands and China's history is water. The influence of water in our countries' past, prosperity and people is of great significance," he added.