Hengzhou strives to become 'jasmine flower city'

A farmer picks jasmine flowers in a plantation in Hengzhou. [Photo by Huang Rude/China News Services]

Hengzhou city in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the world's biggest jasmine flower industrial base and jasmine tea processing center, is striving to become the "jasmine flow city" all over the world, local officials announced on Aug 25.

The city will make full use of the local jasmine flower culture to promote farming and cultivation of the flower in industrial clusters, which will integrate the jasmine flower and nine other sectors such as tea, potted plants, catering and tourism.

The jasmine flower was introduced to China during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) from Persia via India on the ancient Silk Road. 

Hengzhou has seen its jasmine flower industry prosper since 1978. At present, the production of local jasmine flowers accounts for more than 80 percent of China's total and over 60 percent of the world's total. 

Hengzhou jasmine flowers have become the most valuable agricultural brand in Guangxi with an overall comprehensive brand value of 21.5 billion yuan ($3.3 billion). 

The third World Jasmine Conference, the 12th China National Jasmine Tea Trade Fair and the 2021 China (Hengzhou) Jasmine Festival will take place from Sept 10 to 13 in both Nanning and Hengzhou alongside the 18th China-ASEAN Expo, which will be held in Nanning, enabling Hengzhou's jasmine flower industry to seek more development opportunities in ASEAN markets.