by Xinhua writer Zhang Jiawei
LONDON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing (Beijing Expo 2019) "remains for me a wonderful memory," Tim Briercliffe, secretary general of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), told Xinhua in a recent interview.
The expo was held in the suburban district of Yanqing, Beijing, from late April to October last year, with the theme of "Live Green, Live Better." Some 110 countries and international organizations participated in the event.
"I am sure that its (the Beijing Expo 2019) examples for a greener future and international collaboration will remain well into the future," said Briercliffe in an email interview with Xinhua.
It helped provide a vision for "the future of green living for China," and also helped raise more awareness of greener living and sustainable development among people, said Briercliffe.
"The Expo received huge media coverage ... It clearly had a major impact," he said.
The world is undergoing a difficult time as the COVID-19 outbreak has affected many countries. To fight COVID-19, lots of these countries have implemented social distancing measures, and people are spending more time at home for daily life and work.
There is no doubt that the pandemic is impacting the ornamental horticultural industry in the middle of its busiest growing and selling period, and governments' strategies to stop the spread of COVID-19 have been changing the way garden centers operate around the world, according to the AIPH.
Briercliffe stressed that this is also a time to rethink our daily lifestyle.
"The immediate focus should be on tackling the disease, but when we emerge from this crisis then most definitely the international community should work closely together to create greener cities and more sustainable lifestyles," he said.
"I think everyone will be re-considering their lifestyles in light of this pandemic and while more plants won't stop a disease spreading, it has made us appreciate more the spaces where we do live," said Briercliffe.
"We have all had to spend much more time in our homes and we are all appreciating more how plants and flowers can improve our home life," he added. Enditem
