Industry downturn hasn't stopped Hu Shixun, a 75-year-old bonsai master who continues to promote Wenjiang's floral industry.

In recent years, Hu has joined overseas floral exhibitions in countries such as Russia and the Netherlands to improve the sale of Wenjiang produced plants in international markets.

Working as a farmer in his early years, Hu has been studying and researcing the art of bonsai for over 50 years. Hu owns bonsai products valued at over 40 million yuan ($6.08 million).

According to Hu, China's floral industry has suffered since 2013. "As early as 2013, an osmanthus tree with a 10-centimeter diameter sold for around 5,000 yuan, while the price of a tree the same size can now only be sold for 100-200 yuan," Hu explained.

Hu began to seek new markets in response to the domestic market slump, believing that small scale floral products might have broader market compared to hi-end floral products.

At the end of September, Hu joined a floral exhibition in Moscow, Russia, to publicize Wenjiang produced floral products. "I issued thousands of publicity materials and Wenjiang produced floral products gained the approval from overseas customers," Hu said.

With the efforts of Hu and local authorities, Wenjiang's floral industry is looking toward a bright future.

The Chengdu government mapped out a plan in June, setting many goals for the expansion of the city’s green areas, including a 30 percent increase in floral coverage by 2022.

"The initiative has given Wenjiang's floral industry a chance to rebound. The district has a total planting area of 200,000 mu (13,333 hectares) after 20 years' development," said Zeng Jianwei, head of the local floral industry association.

The floral industry has created a multitude of job opportunities for local residents, who have smartly combined flower production with processing and sales.

Source from China Daily