Yunnan recently held a press conference to release new flower species cultivated by innovative technology.

Long Jiang, head of Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department, addresses a press conference to release new flower species in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province. [Photo/ China Daily Yunnan Bureau]

"Thanks to the natural endowment and scientific innovative ability of Yunnan, the flower industry has developed from scratch and has been developing increasingly rapidly," said Long Jiang, director of Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department.

More than 100 national and provincial flower projects have been approved and funded since 2006, with a total investment amounting to 138 million yuan ($21.7 million): 93 million yuan from the provincial government and 45 million yuan from the national government.

The domestic market share of Yunnan’s roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums is 60 percent. Yunnan has gradually increased exports of these flowers to Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. The province has also set a total of 59 national and regional standards for the flower industry.

Yunnan has become an incubation center for new species, cultivating a total of 419. The flower industry’s scientific innovation has expanded in recent years, creating the highest number of new species in the nation

Yunnan’s first national flower engineering technology research Center, the only one in southwest China, was established in May 2013. It has the highest standard in scientific research and innovation in the whole country.

In addition, other innovative service centers were established. For example, the Yunnan Flowers Species Lab and the Agriculture Department Inspection Center have both contributed to scientific innovation in the flower industry in Yunnan.

Many leading industrial companies have emerged in Yunnan. They have innovative ability and have integrated functions from supply to sales and delivery.

The Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department has recognized three industrial innovation strategic alliances, 28 Flower Planting Centers, 20 Agricultural Science and Technology Industrial Parks, 11 high-tech companies, and five innovative companies.

Kunming has become the biggest flower trading market in Asia and is realizing its ambition of becoming Asia’s Hub of Flowers.

Thanks to its various innovative research centers, Yunnan has cultivated many new flower species. Its number of new flower species is the highest in the entire nation. [Photo/ China Daily Yunnan Bureau]