Qingdao gets ready to blossom(2)
"Beer has been a most popular drink in Qingdao and in many places in the world, but exactly how many people have seen hops flowers," said Li Fengli, director of the Qingdao Horticultural Expo Bureau and secretary-general of the Qingdao Horticultural Expo Organizing Committee. "It would be interesting to have these flowers in the park."
Kunming of Yunnan Province, Shenyang of Liaoning Province and Xi'an of Shaanxi Province are the only other Chinese cities to have hosted the International Horticultural Exposition. But it will be the first time the International Horticultural Exposition comes so close to the sea, and Qingdao will introduce large varieties of aquatic and marine plants to highlight the city's characteristics.
Wrapped to withstand the frigid winter temperature, plants have been sent to the site since last October so they are ready for the show. A World of Water Lily Garden has been set up to host more than 1,000 species of water lily and lotus plants from all over the world.
"More herbs will be introduced to the garden in the future. Together with the water lily and lotus, the herbs will be used to illustrate the 'Compendium of Materia Medica'," Li said.
The organizer will also cooperate with local universities to introduce marine plants at the site.
"At that time, varieties of plants will fill the water area in the park," Li said. "The fish will instead become the foil."
Besides, visitors can also enjoy a sweeping view of native vegetation as well as exotic plants.
The Executive Committee of the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Exposition has established an ad hoc team to carry out a general survey of the trees within the Expo Park. Through this investigation, the committee made a selection principle for plants, which mainly favors 20 native species such as pine and gingko trees. The transplantation of trees is expected to finish next spring.
Trees introduced from overseas will include London plane, ginkgo, beech, hackberry, ash, Luan tree, horse chestnut and tulip tree with the total number exceeding 1,000 trees.
Both the economy and ecology will be highlighted by the government when hosting the event.
"The Olympic sailing competition in 2008 put the city on the world map; the horticultural expo aims to maintain Qingdao's draw and garner constant attention from the world," Li said.
Qingdao is in a very important economic position in the eastern part of China, and is making efforts to expand its global influence, which can in turn draw greater business opportunities. The government expects that by hosting the event, more professionals will be attracted to the city. Tourism-related industries are also expected to get a boost.
The organizer said it expects about 11 million people will visit the expo during its six-month run.
The government does not want to harm nature while hosting the event.
"We cannot cause any damage to the environment while holding a horticultural expo," Li said.
Qingdao Agricultural University was invited as a partner of the organizing committee to conduct a general investigation of plant resources. Birds and animals in and around the park as well as plants will be chosen according to environmental impact, according to Li.
Plants were given the utmost priority when constructing the park. Watering and dust collecting equipment will be installed on drilling machines to control dust. The routes for construction workers and vehicles have been fixed so they don't trespass on natural vegetation. Devices to prevent fires have also been put up to prevent damage to nature.
Besides, the committee is working with Tongji University to utilize kitchen and bath water for irrigation.
Frantic pace
These days workers are busy building the roads at the International Horticultural Exposition Park.
