Peony forum to kick off in Heze

The Heze Peony International Communication Forum is set to kick off in Heze, Shandong province on April 9 and will enhance the brand image of Chinese peonies on the global stage.

A cultural symbol of China's international communications, Heze's peonies are a vital part of the "Friendly Shandong" tourism brand. The city has been busy preparing the upcoming forum and welcoming guests from all over the world to experience the charm of the "Peony Capital of China".

Sponsored by the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration and the publicity department of Shandong, the forum, with the theme of "creating a Chinese cultural identity and telling the story of Heze peony to the world", aims to strengthen the international communication of Heze's peony culture and build a platform that boosts exchanges and mutual learning.

The forum consists of one theme forum and six sections covering an exhibition, an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, the round table discussion, the signing ceremony of the "Cultural Communication Innovation Cooperation Base and Peony Culture International Communication Center", as well as an initiative for the construction of overseas peony gardens.

The event will also launch a series of activities, such as pre-conference visits, theme seminars, media gatherings, and the Peony Tea Party, for guests. All activities are closely related to the Heze peony and characteristic industries.

Known as the "Peony Capital of China", Heze has a long history of peony flower cultivation. Currently, the city has a peony planting area of about 26,667 hectares, with 1,280 varieties.

The peony business in Heze has evolved from sightseeing to manufacturing a variety of high-value peony-related products, such as seed oil, tea, cosmetics, and healthy food, after several years of industrial chain expansion and cultivation.

The city has formed a complete peony industrial chain integrating industrial technology, seedling breeding, large-scale planting, industrial processing, sightseeing, and tourism.

Today, Heze has developed into the country's largest base for peony cultivation, research, sales, and exports, with its peony-related products exported to more than 30 countries and regions around the world.