Horticultural Expo 2019 Beijingis officially open following a spectacular inaugural ceremony held yesterday, 28 April, on the Expo site in China’s capital.

　　Gathering over 110 countries and international organisations, Expo 2019 is today open to the public, and is expected to draw millions of visitors over the next few months, before its closing on 7 October. With the theme “Live Green, Live Better”, the Horticultural Expo isbeing held on a 503-hectare site in Beijing’s Yanqing District, at the foot of the Great Wall.

President of China, Xi Jinping, speaks during the Opening Ceremony of Horticultural Expo 2019 Beijing

　　Taking place in the Expo’s butterfly-shaped Guirui Performance Center, the opening ceremony was held in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, foreign leaders and special envoys from 11 countries, and the Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Vicente G. Loscertales. Attended by 900 distinguished guests from China and across the world, the ceremony (which can be viewedonline) included cultural performances and an impressive fireworks display inspired by the Expo’s theme.

BIE Secretary General, Vicente G. Loscertales, speaks during the Opening Ceremony of Horticultural Expo 2019 Beijing

　　In a speech during the opening ceremony, the Secretary General of the BIE declared:“With a great diversity of gardens and numerous cultural activities, Expo 2019 Beijing China will, for the next six months, inspire and educate visitors on the critical significance of horticulture to enhance quality of life and ensure the future of the next generations. This vibrant, world-class event serves as a platform for international cooperation and for the sharing of the latest technologies and innovative applications that sustain nature and improve our lives.”

Expo 2019 Beijing

　　Dedicated to the common desire for greener lifestyles and a more harmonious relationship between humankind and nature, Expo 2019 features a wide array of educational, interactive and state-of-the-art exhibits. In addition to the dozens of international gardens and pavilions, the Expo site includes the 23,000m2 China National Pavilion, the Life Experience Pavilion, the Plant Pavilion and gardens from China’s provinces.

　　Over the next 162 days, Expo 2019 will be host to a range of public events, thematic symposia and cultural performances. The Expo’s rich event calendar includes daily light and sound shows, National Day events for participating countries, as well as the World Blossom Festival in June, and the Global Forum on the Green City in September.

　　Expo 2019 Beijing is the second International Horticultural Expo to be held inChina, followingExpo 1999 in Kunming. Both events, as well asWorld Expo 2010 Shanghai, were organised under the auspices of the BIE.