Luoyang City in Central China's Henan Province next month is to hold 20th Peony Festival with presenting millions of peonies,including over 800 species.
Luoyang's mayor Li Guiji said at a news conference here yesterday that this year's festival is scheduled for April 15to 25,five days longer than other years due to the peony's prolonged flowering in the warmer weather.
As the 20th anniversary of the peony festival,it will hold many other activities such as art performances,a relics exhibition,a photographic competition and a lantern festival,in conjunction with the flower show.
In addition,a series of economic and trading activities,including a trade fair and an information technology exhibition,will be held concurrently.
"The Peony Festival has helped the city's investment environment and has hastened its opening up,"Li said.
Started in 1983,Luoyang has had 19 successful peony festivals,which have brought positive economic and social benefits.
The trade resulting from contracts signed at previous fairs has brought over 22 billion yuan (US$ 2.7billion),among which foreign investment exceeds US$ 900million.
In the past two decades,571 foreign-funded businesses have been established in Luoyang with a total input of US$ 2.6billion.
(eastday.com March 20, 2002)
