The three-day 2019 World Ornamental Horticulture Summit kicked off yesterday in Yanqing, northwest Beijing. 

More than 300 delegates from 69 countries, including key figures and decision makers in the industry, attended the event and explored issues concerning green city development, plant breeding as well as flower market and trade.

President Bernard Oosterom of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) said the summit served as a platform of sharing horticultural insights, technological innovation and latest knowledge and findings on the environmental and health benefits of urban greening. 

At the summit opening ceremony, China's first documentary on plants, "The Journey of Chinese Plants", launched by Beijing International Horticultural Bureau and directed by Li Chengcai, was granted AIPH Honorary Award for Promoting the Power of Plants Film. The documentary tells of the contribution of Chinese plants to the world.

The summit was organized by the AIPH, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, China Flower Association and Beijing Flower Association.

Besides the summit, the annual AIPH Congress incorporated the AIPH International Expo Conference and the AIPH International Green City Conference in Yanqing, the host of Beijing International Horticultural Expo.