CGTN’s article highlights President Xi Jinping’s visit to Yunnan Province, focusing on the region’s efforts to boost rural development through its “flower economy” and cultural tourism initiatives. The aim is to modernize the region in a way that suits its unique characteristics.
BEIJING, March 20, 2025 — The Lijiang Modern Flower Industrial Park in Yunnan Province showcases China’s commitment to rural revitalization.
The park utilizes an intelligent production system with soilless cultivation and integrated water and fertilizer irrigation facilities, covering over 85 percent of the greenhouses.
Its proximity to Lijiang Airport allows for the swift delivery of fresh-cut roses and calla lilies to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou within 36 hours, as well as exports to countries including Japan, Vietnam, and Russia, providing employment for over 300 local villagers.
During his visit to the park on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping engaged with villagers and technicians, inquiring about flower varieties, market performance, and their earnings.
Villagers reported average monthly incomes of over 4,000 yuan (approximately $557.46), exceeding 7,000 yuan during peak seasons, expressing their satisfaction with their work.
“Your work is flourishing and represents the path of modern agriculture. I hope your lives are as beautiful as the flowers you grow,” Xi remarked.
‘Flower economy’
Xi has consistently emphasized the importance of developing distinctive industries during his domestic inspections. He has stated that “industrial revitalization is key to rural revitalization.”
Yunnan’s climate and geography have established it as the “plant kingdom,” facilitating the growth of the “flower economy.” The province has been a leading producer of fresh-cut flowers in China for many years.
In 2024, Yunnan’s flower planting area reached 1.95 million mu (approximately 130,000 hectares), with 350,000 mu dedicated to fresh-cut flowers. The province produced 20.6 billion fresh-cut flowers, ranking first globally.
Yunnan’s flower industry directly employs 380,000 people in planting, sorting, packaging, logistics, and e-commerce, with indirect employment exceeding 1 million. Decades of local effort have resulted in a comprehensive industrial chain, including Asia’s first and the world’s second-largest flower auction center.
The Kunming International Flora Auction Trading Center saw an average daily trading volume of 7.06 million stems in 2024, with an average transaction time of just 4 seconds per order and a transaction rate of 95.34 percent.
Flowers auctioned here are distributed to major Chinese cities and exported to over 50 countries and regions.
During his inspection, Xi stressed that promoting industrial transformation and upgrading is crucial for high-quality development, urging Yunnan to cultivate strategic emerging and future industries.
Integration of culture and tourism
Xi also visited the Old Town of Lijiang on Wednesday to understand local efforts in preserving and utilizing historical and cultural heritage.
“The town’s culture, scenery, and folk traditions are truly captivating,” Xi commented, noting that the integration of culture and tourism has boosted the local economy.
The Old Town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 with a history spanning over 800 years, has established 30 cultural courtyards to showcase its heritage and promote the cultural and tourism industry.
Today, the town’s tourism industry thrives, encompassing catering, accommodation, handicrafts, and performing arts. A growing number of young entrepreneurs are dedicated to preserving and promoting national cultural heritage.
The town is actively developing cultural heritage tourism by expanding cultural attractions and street landmarks. Through various activities and a vibrant cultural atmosphere, Lijiang attracts visitors worldwide.
From January to September of the previous year, the town welcomed 17.05 million tourists, marking a 13.07 percent year-on-year increase.
Xi emphasized the importance of promoting cultural tourism to improve livelihoods and balancing preservation with development, advocating for a sustainable and healthy development path for the cultural and tourism industry.
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