TAIPEI: Japan's city of Matsue, famed for its cultivated peonies, has signed on to join the 2010 Taipei International Gardening and Horticulture Exposition, opening an important new horticultural exchange.

The mayors of Taipei and Matsue signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday formally including Matsue in the expo.

"The MOU not only marks the beginning of horticulture exchanges between Taipei and Matsue, but will also inject new vitality into the flower industries in both cities," said Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin at a news conference.

Hau noted Matsue's 55-year development of the peony industry, making it the world's number one grower of the ornamental flower, producing two million blooms every year in some 300 varieties.

"With the participation of Matsue city in the 2010 expo, Taiwan and Japan will further strengthen exchanges in gardening and horticulture and build closer friendships," he added.

The peony, which is believed to symbolize happiness and prosperity, traditionally has been one of the favorite flowers in Chinese culture.

Hau said that he thinks visitors from home and abroad will be amazed by the Matsue peony exhibition.

Matsue city mayor Masataka Matsuura said at the news conference that he feels honored to join the 2010 Taipei expo to introduce the beauty of peonies to the people of Taiwan and the international community.

"We hope that this expo will serve as a means to bring Taipei and Matsue cities closer, create more exchanges and give more vibrancy to our cooperation," Matsuura said.

The horticultural expo, which is scheduled to run from Nov 6, 2010 to April 25, 2011, is one of the events staged worldwide by the International Association of Horticultural Producers. It brings together international stakeholders in the industry.

The expo will be the first internationally recognized flower exposition to take place in Taipei, and the seventh of its kind to be held in Asia. Taipei city estimates that the event will attract 6 million visitors.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 07/07/2009 page2)