Heze City, a peony cultivation hub in Shandong Province, has drawn international attention as delegates from the Maldives, Bolivia, and Latvia expressed keen interest in expanding cooperation across industries inspired by its iconic flowers. During a recent exploratory visit, foreign guests highlighted the peony's untapped commercial potential beyond its aesthetic appeal, with discussions centering on tourism development, cosmetics research, and applications in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Blossoms as Bridges
A Bolivian trade representative noted: "Heze’s peonies are not just a feast for the eyes—they represent tangible economic opportunities. We’re discussing floral tourism partnerships and exploring how petal extraction techniques could enhance South American skincare products." With over 1,200 peony varieties and 80,000+ farmers involved in cultivation, Heze accounts for 50% of China’s peony exports, generating $480 million in annual trade.
Economic & Cultural Synergy
Latvian delegates emphasized plans to integrate peony-themed cultural exchanges into existing tourism frameworks, while Maldivian participants showed interest in TCM formulations using peony roots. "This visit reshaped our understanding of agriculture’s role in cross-border partnerships," said a Maldives-based entrepreneur. Industry analysts suggest such collaborations could streamline Asia-Latin America supply chains and introduce new botanical-based wellness products to global markets.
