Luoyang City in Central China's Henan Province will hold its 20th peony fair between April 10 and 25. Local officials expect the annual event to attract both tourists and overseas investors.
According to city government sources, economic, cultural and sports activities will be held during the fair and will include talks on national-overseas economic and technological cooperation and an IT technology fair.
The past 19 peony fairs, have attracted more than 40 million domestic and overseas tourists and 22 billion yuan (US$ 2.65 million) from business deals, including the introduction of US$916 million in foreign investment.
Peony growing in Luoyang, capital of several Chinese dynasties, dates back to China's Sui Dynasty (A.D. 589-A.D. 618). The city has 68 peony growing centers which together make a commercial peony growing area of 466.67 hectares which produces more than 700 varieties of peonies.
The city exports peonies to many countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Japan and Hong Kong.
(People?s Daily March 18, 2002)
