The International Horticultural Exhibition 2024 opened in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Friday, embodying principles of green and low-carbon sustainability.

Running from April 26 to Oct 28, the event, themed "Park City, Beautiful Habitat," showcases a diverse collection of flower and plant species as well as gardening cultures from all over the world at all 113 exhibition parks in the seven major exhibition areas of the main venue, as well as six core pavilions.
Apart from the exhibitions, more than 2,000 activities will be held during the 186-day event, including eight international professional competitions that will showcase the latest varieties, technologies and achievements in the field of horticulture to serve as a platform for cultural exchanges among diverse cultures from China and abroad.
Based on the outline of a panda's head, the expo's emblem also incorporates various plant elements such as ginkgo, hibiscus, and golden bamboo, fully showcasing the rich biodiversity of Chengdu.
And the expo's cute-friendly mascot, which is called "Tong Meier," symbolizes peace, friendship, inclusiveness, and mutual learning. The character's design concept references the Chinese dove tree, an endangered creature in China and a bronze bird sculpture that was unearthed from the Sanxingdui Ruins, which are believed to be the remnants of the Shu Kingdom, dating back to some 4,500 to 3,000 years.