Flower markets bloom with sales ahead of Chinese New Year

As the Chinese Year of the Horse approaches, flower markets across China are heating up with activity, with a growing number of customers shopping for potted plants and floral decorations for the new year.

At the Beijing Flower Trading Center, flowers of various colors and types are attracting customers of all ages.

Among the most popular items are new orchid varieties with pouch-shaped petals that hold blessing cards for the new year.

Creative new designs, such as horse-shaped flower vases and pots, are also catching the eyes of many customers.

In Foshan City of south China's Guangdong Province, flower sellers even designed a potted plant featuring Phalaenopsis orchids arranged in the form of a galloping horse, evoking the joyful spirit of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

"This year marks the Year of the Horse, which carries the auspicious meaning of 'achieving immediate success.' Creative products here sell significantly better. Our sales volume for the New Year season has already grown by one third," said a flower seller in Foshan.

Apart from orchid flowers, red-colored amaryllis and kumquat trees, which symbolize good luck and prosperity, are also among the most popular choices.

In southwest China's Yunnan Province, the Lijiang Modern Flower Industry Park is seeing their calla lilies in white, gold, pink, purple, and many other colors being ordered by an increasing number of clients.

At the Dounan Flower Market -- known as the "flower capital of Asia" -- in Kunming, Yunnan Province, some florists have set up live-streaming rooms right at their stalls, making it easier for customers to buy flowers online and have them shipped directly to their homes.

Logistics companies have also opened priority channels for fresh flower delivery.

"Next-day delivery services are now available in approximately 15 provinces and dozens of cities across the country, while within Kunming, half-day delivery is offered to customers," said Ma Jiangjiang, manager of a local logistics company.

Flower markets bloom with sales ahead of Chinese New Year

Two pairs of giant panda twins, born in 2023, made their much-anticipated public debut on Tuesday at the Qinling Four Rare Animals Science Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The two pairs are Chang Qing (meaning evergreen in Chinese) and Chang Ning (meaning lasting peace in Chinese), as well as Chang Qing (meaning lasting auspiciousness in Chinese) and Chang Le (meaning lasting happiness in Chinese), respectively.

The four lively pandas put on quite a show -- one showed off an impressive upside-down hook move, while another twirled happily on a play facility. The other two took a more relaxed approach, lying on the ground munching bamboo before tumbling into a playful wrestle once their bellies were full.

The four captive-bred panda cubs are all about two and a half years old, and are already able to eat bamboo skillfully on their own.

Their lively interactions not only entertain visitors but also boost their physical activity, aid digestion, and support healthy growth.

Two pairs of panda twins make public debut in Xi'an