On April 16, the 17th China Azalea Expo opened in the Fenghuang New Town, Tianning, Changzhou.

Mayor Chen Jinhu addressed the opening ceremony. City leaders Bai Yunping, Fang Guoqiang, Sheng Jianliang and Jiang Feng attended the event.

Zhang Yinchao, secretary-general of China Flower Association (CFA), Xu Yingxin, vice chairman of China National Textile And Apparel Council (CNTAC), and Pablo Obregón, consul general of Argentina in Shanghai, were present at the ceremony.

Themed with celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the expo has a layout of one garden, four areas, two pavilions and multiple spots.

Nestled in the Fenghuang Park, the Changzhou Masterpiece Garden covers an area of two hectares. The garden is featured with exquisite horticulture, underlining this year’s theme in azalea.

The four areas are composed of "Colourful Changzhou", "Dream Home", "Revolutionary Melody" and "Impression of Jiangnan".

The two pavilions, consisting of the China Pavilion and the Europe Pavilion, are a thematic area built on an old factory site.

The multiple spots are an exhibition area for more than 50 cities of 15 provinces across the country.

The expo will last a month from April 16 to May 16.

Distinct from the previous sessions, this year’s expo will serve as both a sightseeing spot and a planting zone. With Fenghuang Park and its 15-kilometer-long roundabout landscaping, the expo site will remain a permanent destination, offering an open tour experience and making the Fenghuang New Town a national demonstration town for the planting of azaleas.