The 2023 Heze Peony Festival was staged in Heze, Shandong in April. It included a conference about the research into, and cultivation of, peony products, as well as a festival promoting cultural tourism on an international level which will run throughout the month.

Peonies, a symbol of beauty and prosperity, have been an important part of Chinese culture for centuries. At the 2023 Heze Peony Festival, experts and scholars from the fields of peony planting, processing, scientific research, and marketing from China and other countries expressed their views on the significance of this event in terms of promoting Chinese culture and enhancing international exchanges.

Speaking of the appeal of peonies, Javier Garcia, an international journalist and lecturer at Renmin University of China, said: "Everybody can understand the 'language of peonies' because it's a very simple language. It is the language of beauty."

Pang Zhiyong, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Peony Society, highlighted the health and beauty benefits of these flowers, and the potential for exporting such products to other countries.

"Peonies are very beneficial to our health and beauty. We aim to export more peony products. Now we are exporting them to European countries, as well as to the United States and Japan. Peony essential oils, facial masks and other products have already gone abroad. Our seedlings have been exported to over 30 countries and regions," he said

Sun Jingxin, Deputy Dean of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, connected the promotion of peonies to the Belt and Road Initiative.

"One of the major goals of the Belt and Road Initiative is to connect people. I think the element of nature and the pursuit and appreciation of beauty are a common pursuit of people along the Belt and Road. Peonies represent the pursuit of a better life. This concept can appeal to people all over the world," he said.

Ma Li, President of the China Japan Innovation and Exchange Association, discussed the role of peonies as a medium for cultural exchanges.

"As a symbol of peace and happiness, peonies were planted in the Japan-China Friendship Garden in Gifu Prefecture," she said." The symbol of the peony serves as a form of cultural communication, embodying the Chinese belief that helping others to achieve their goals gives you double the reward. "