Chengdu expo lays out examples for better ecological development

China has set good examples on how to balance economic development with ecology to create a more sustainable way to live, according to horticultural experts attending the International Horticultural Exhibition 2024 in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

The exhibition, themed around Chengdu being a park city, covers 42 hectares. It opened in April and will run until Oct 28, and features 113 exhibitions and gardens from across the globe. There are seven major exhibition areas showcasing the best in gardening from countries such as France, Italy, the United Kingdom and cities around China.

"I must mention how impressive the country's development is with ecological development, and this is the direction that we should pursue for our next generation not just in China, but in the world," said Lee Da-eun, of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), from South Korea.

Leonardo Capitanio, president of AIPH, said the Chengdu expo has reached a new level for an international horticultural exhibition, with excellent gardens featuring a lot of greenery.

"China has a beautiful vision on designing the future. You (China) are designing in a proper way because you are looking for a more sustainable way to live. I see what we, as foreigners, can learn from this country," he said.

Tim Briercliffe, AIPH secretary general, said he has witnessed China becoming a more sustainable country with cities becoming greener in recent years.

"I heard at the Beijing expo in 2019 the announcement from President Xi Jinping, where he talked about a vision of ecological development in cities. What I've seen since then is cities are really implementing that and to the point where it's changing people's lives," he said.