Yangzhou 'Flowery March' festival to open

The annual China Yangzhou Flowery March International Economic, Trade and Tourism Festival will kick off on April 18 in Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, authorities announced at a news conference on April 13.

The festival will run until May 18.

Major taxpayers, leading technological innovation enterprises, as well as people who have made significant contributions to the city's investment attraction efforts, will be awarded prizes at the opening ceremony, according to authorities.

An overseas liaison office and an innovation center will also be launched at the ceremony.

A total of 26 events will be held during the festival, including 15 economic and trade events and 11 cultural and tourism activities.

Agreements for 249 advanced manufacturing projects with a combined investment of 188 billion yuan ($27.37 billion) will be signed at the ceremony, while deals for 48 foreign-funded projects brought by 338 foreign businessmen will also be inked.

Yangzhou was named as China's fourth "Food Capital of the World" in 2019 after Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan, Shunde district in Foshan, South China's Guangdong, and Macao.

Chen Kaihong, vice mayor of Yangzhou, said at the conference that the city is facing unprecedented development opportunities brought about by the Yangtze River Delta integration, the Grand Canal Cultural Belt and other national development plans.

He added that the city's modern transportation network, rich cultural heritage, strong sci-tech innovation, international and standardized business environment, and convenient living environment all make it an ideal place to live, work and start businesses.

The Flowery March International Economic, Trade and Tourism Festival was held for the first time in 2005, and has since become an important platform for promoting economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchange between Yangzhou and other cities around the world.