Heze city in the eastern province of Shandong is known as the "peony capital of China." Besides its ornamental value, the plant has also been used in Chinese medicine for nearly two-thousand years. In recent years, the city has been using its expertise in peonies to create more wealth and jobs. Zhou Yixin reports.

The cultivation of peonies in China has a long and storied history. During the Tang Dynasty, an era known for prosperity and art, there were many literary works created about the beautiful flower. Because of this, they tend to have a special place in the hearts of many Chinese, who equate them with auspiciousness, happiness and prosperity.

ZHOU YIXIN, Heze, Shandong Province "Besides having ornamental value and significant historical and cultural symbolisms, peonies have also generated commercial worth. Heze's development of the peony deep processing industry has been creating economic benefits for the region."

Heze is the world's largest peony planting base, with an annual output of 10 million ornamental peony seedlings, which are exported to more than 30 countries and regions. In recent years, with modern technology, peony deep-processing enterprises have been developing a series of products.

ZHANG JUNYU, Chief Executive Officer, Longchi Peony Industrial "Peony roots can be used in medicine, peony seeds can be used to extract oil, and petals can be used to extract dew. We have developed more than 200 products using peonies, including food, daily necessities, skin care products and cultural and creative products."

PANG ZHIYONG, Deputy Secretary-General, Chinese Peony Association "In 2022, the total output value of the peony industry in Heze reached 10.2 billion yuan, creating more than 50,000 jobs."

In Heze, the peony-themed cultural and creative industry is also booming. People have created porcelain, calligraphy and painting, paper-cutting, clothing and other works related to peonies, reflecting China's sheer enthusiasm for this flower which still holds such a special place in everyday life.

Zhou Yixin, CGTN, Heze, Shandong Province.