China's flower export value posts double-digit surge in Jan-Feb

China's flower export value increased by 11.5 percent from January to February compared with the same period last year, according to China Flower Association, a figure that reflects the huge market's consistent effort to strengthen trade ties with other countries around the world.

The released figure showed a continuous growth of China's overseas flower trade, with the export value reaching 103 million U.S. dollars in the first two months this year and in 2024, the total import and export value of the country's flower reached 782 million U.S. dollars, marking a year-over-year growth of 10 percent.

The booming floral economy in China has increased its market's appeal to international florists, with the three-day 27th Hortiflorexpo IPM Shanghai just concluded Saturday in Shanghai gathering about 700 enterprises from nearly 30 countries and regions around the world.

The international exhibitors at the event, who are from countries like Netherlands, Germany, Japan, UK, and France, showcased colorful flowers along with the counterparts from various provinces in China.

Many of the overseas exhibitors said they attached great importance to the huge Chinese market, and they are also benefiting from the strengthened global flower trade.

"We are working in 60 countries around the world, but China is one of our biggest countries to export," said Indrik Valli, an overseas flower exhibitor.

"Of course, there are many people in China. We can be interested, I think," said Richard, an exhibitor from Netherlands.

China's flower export value posts double-digit surge in Jan-Feb

Hungarians voted in parliamentary elections on Sunday, with about 8.1 million people eligible to cast ballots, according to the National Election Office.

Polls opened at 06:00 local time and closed at 19:00, with initial results expected late on Sunday evening.

Of the total, about 7.6 million voters were eligible to cast ballots in person at more than 10,000 polling stations nationwide, while some 500,000 were eligible to vote by mail.

Five parties or alliances are competing in the election. The latest opinion polls showed strong support for both Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz-Christian Democratic People's Party alliance and the opposition Tisza party led by Peter Magyar.

Among smaller parties, the far-right Our Homeland Movement is seen as having a chance to enter parliament, while others, including the Democratic Coalition and the Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party, are widely viewed as unlikely to cross the threshold.

This election marks Orban's fourth parliamentary race since returning to power in 2010, with the outcome set to determine whether he can secure a fifth consecutive term.

Under Hungary's electoral law, parliamentary elections are held every four years. The Hungarian parliament has 199 seats, including 106 filled through direct elections in single-member constituencies and 93 allocated to parties that enter parliament. The party or alliance that secures a majority of seats has the right to form a government.

Hungarians vote in parliamentary elections