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
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that his country is engaged in a "full-scale war" with the United States, stressing the importance of maintaining economic stability during wartime.
"Today's war is not a war of merely missiles. The enemy has come to the conclusion that it cannot force the Iranian nation to surrender with military strikes," Pezeshkian said at a meeting of the High Council of the Judiciary in Tehran, according to a statement published on the website of his office.
He said that the "enemy" has waged a "hybrid war" against Iran, describing the economy and the people's livelihood as the most important areas of confrontation with the "enemy," and highlighting the necessity to maintain economic stability and protect social assets as two priorities of "the system of governance during wartime."
Pezeshkian added that his government "fully protected" Iran's national rights and interests in negotiations with the United States, including in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on June 18.
Iran has received proposals from mediators, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday, amid continued tit-for-tat strikes between Iran and the United States.
Baghaei made the remarks at a weekly press conference in Tehran without giving details, when asked whether he could confirm reports about new proposals by Qatar for the revival of U.S.-Iran negotiations and a 10-day ceasefire.
Baghaei stressed that Iran's diplomatic apparatus remains active alongside its military responses to U.S. attacks, while condemning recent U.S. strikes against civilian infrastructure, including bridges and medical centers, as violating "people's rights to life, security and human dignity."
On the peace memorandum of understanding signed with Washington on June 18, he said the agreement's "text is completely clear," and Washington has no pretext to breach its promises under it.
He said Tehran adhered to a "commitment for commitment" principle until Washington repeatedly violated its commitments, prompting Tehran to cease its own obligations.
On the Strait of Hormuz, he affirmed Iran's resolve to exercise its sovereignty over the waterway and prevent any "misuse" against its interests.
The United States has launched multiple strikes on Iran's southern provinces over the past week, saying they were aimed at "degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping."
Iran has responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military bases and facilities in regional countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
The escalation comes as the two sides, under their MoU, were scheduled to hold negotiations within a 60-day period to reach a final agreement.
Iranian president says his country in "full-scale war" with U.S.
