In 1999, the beautiful southwest Chinese city of Kunming became the venue for a global event----the '99 International Horticultural Exposition.
The exposition, to be hosted by the Chinese government at the turn of the century, has been endorsed and registered as an A1 professional exposition by the Bureau international Des Expositions (BIE) and the International Association of Horticultural Producers (IAHP). ' Man and Nature - Marching into the 21st Century ' is the theme of the exposition, which lasted for 184 days from May 1 to October 31, 1999. The venue for the exposition is near the Jindian (Golden Hall) Park, about 4 kilometers out of Kunming. The park sprawls over an area of 218 hectares, 76.7 percent of which is covered by vegetation and 15 percent by water. The luxuriant vegetation and the water surfaces in the park provide an ideal natural environment for the exposition.
The exposition highlighted the age-old traditions of horticulture and the multifarious products associated with it; gardens and courtyards which dovetail traditional culture with modern civilization; achievements in protecting the natural environment and maintaining ecological balance; flower-beds with distinct, fascinating characteristics; success stories about integrating economic growth with environmental protection; advanced technology, books and equipment concerning horticulture and landscaping; souvenirs related to horticulture, landscaping and environment, and delicacies from different parts of the world.
Art performances, gala parties, festive ceremonies, and academic activities took place during the course of the exposition. Some of the world's best amusement and tourist facilities was employed in organizing cultural, tourist, sightseeing and other activities. Days were designated to salute each country participating in the exposition. All the buildings and facilities for the exposition are designed along a tourist line, and are laid out according to the contours of the park. They are grouped in such a way as to blend with the hills, forests and water surfaces in the garden. The exposition also showcases the combinations of the fine works of traditional Chinese horticulture and modern science and technologies. These reflect the theme, and build the whole venue into a high-quality exhibition area.
The Chinese government has attached great importance to the event. Premier Li Peng has issued invitation letters to heads of state around the world. An organizing committee was established in December 1996, with Vice-Premier Li Lanqing as chairman. The Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Horticultural Expositions has been set up as the executive department of the organizing committee and the Yunnan provincial government to handle such tasks as construction of the exposition site, arranging the exhibits, and day-to-day operations. The exposition coincides with 'China Ecotourism 99', a national tourist programs sponsored by the National Tourism Administration of the Peoples Republic of China. Yunnan Province, with Kunming as its capital, played a central role in promoting this program. As horticulture is inseparably related to ecology, it is only appropriate for China Ecotourism '99 to be launched in synchronize with the '99 International Horticultural Exposition in Kunming.
The logo for the '99 international Horticultural Exposition features a green flower, which symbolizes all forms of life in the world, held in the likeness of a hand. This lively, and highly imaginative combination of flower and hand is evocative of the harmonious relationship between man and nature, and gives apt expression to the theme of the exposition: ' Man and Nature - Matching into the 21st Century'.
The snub-nosed golden monkey, a rare species that can be found only in Yunnan, runs towards us with a bouquet of flowers in hand. This mascot, its personified image rendered in vivacious colour and captivating liveliness, is an epitome of the hospitality of the people of Yunnan who are ready to greet friends from every nook and cranny of the world.