CGTN: Chinese President Highlights Yunnan's "Flower Economy", Cultural Tourism During Visit

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- On a recent tour of southwest Yunnan Province, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Lijiang Modern Flower Industrial Park, an epitome of China's efforts to advance rural revitalisation.

Empowered by an intelligent production system, all the greenhouses in the park use soilless cultivation technology, with the coverage rate of integrated water and fertiliser irrigation facilities reaching more than 85 per cent.

Relying on the nearby Lijiang Airport, products such as fresh-cut roses and calla lilies are swiftly transported to major cities across China and internationally, providing jobs for more than 300 local villagers.

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During his visit, President Xi interacted with local villagers and technicians, learning about flower varieties, market sales, and incomes, according to a statement.

Villagers shared that they earned an average of over 4,000 Chinese yuan (about US$557.46) per month, with peak seasons pushing their monthly income beyond 7,000 Chinese yuan. (US$1 = RM4.42)

Xi has focused on developing distinctive industries, emphasising that industrial revitalisation is key to rural revitalisation. Yunnan’s favourable climate has earned it the title of “plant kingdom”, and the province’s flower industry is a major driver of the regional economy.

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In 2024, the province's flower planting area expanded to 1.95 million mu (about 130,000 hectares), with 350,000 mu dedicated to fresh-cut flowers. This has made Yunnan the world’s largest producer of fresh-cut flowers, with a total of 20.6 billion produced, providing direct employment for over 380,000 people in the industry.

Xi also visited the Old Town of Lijiang to observe efforts in protecting and utilising local cultural heritage. Lijiang’s rich cultural and scenic offerings, along with its thriving tourism industry, have contributed significantly to the local economy.

The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has experienced a surge in tourism, with 17.05 million visitors from January to September last year—a 13.07 per cent increase year-on-year.

Xi emphasised the importance of balancing cultural heritage protection with sustainable tourism development, encouraging the promotion of local culture and attractions.

-- BERNAMA