The 66th Annual Congress of the International Association of Horticultural Producers has begun in Qingdao, China, attracting more than 100 AIPH members from 14 countries and regions including Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and Taiwan.

Participants pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the AIPH 66th Annual Congress.Third from left: Vic Krahn, chairman of AIPH. Fourth from left: Jiang Zehui, vice-chair of the committee on population, resources and environment under the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and president of the China Flower Association. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn.]

Vic Krahn, AIPH president, said the congress offers firsthand experience of horticultural practices in this part of the world to enable participants to learn from each other and appreciate the diversity as well as the unity of the ornamental growing sector.

This year's congress provides AIPH members with a detailed insight into the Chinese horticultural industry, as well as the opportunity to discuss the latest activities of the AIPH committees on green cities, novelty protection, environment and plant health, science and education, marketing and exhibitions.

Jiang Zehui, vice-chair of the committee on population, resources and environment under the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and president of the China Flower Association, said China has hosted and participated in a number of AIPH events in different cities and will continue to make efforts to facilitate the development of world horticulture.

AIPH Secretary General Tim Briercliffe said, “Information sharing and networking at the annual congress is a significant benefit of membership. It is a great opportunity for like-minded and non-competing grower organizations to share what they're doing, learn from each other and take home new ideas that they can apply within their own organizations”.

At present, Qingdao is home to several other AIPH associated events. The AIPH-approved International Horticultural Exposition is currently taking place in Qingdao and guests of the congress will enjoy a tour of the expo as well as professional visits to local horticultural businesses and a green city tour of Qingdao.

The highly anticipated award ceremony for AIPH International Grower of the Year 2014 will also be held on the evening of Sep 17.

Briercliffe said it is a privilege to be able to hold the annual congress this year in Qingdao.