Media OutReach
CGTN: Blooming ‘flower economy’ – Heze’s peony industry boosts development, cultural exchanges
In 2000, Li Xiaoqi, a graduate of China Agricultural University, returned to his hometown in Heze, Shandong Province, and began working in the peony industry. Through years of dedication, he expanded his family’s small 10-mu peony field into a 2,200-mu modern industrial park with facilities for seedling cultivation, flower processing, cold storage and research.
Beyond growing his own business, Li trained and supported hundreds of local farmers in peony cultivation, playing a key role in poverty alleviation and boosting the region’s peony industry.
The thriving peony industry has enabled Heze – “the peony capital of China” – to foster four major development sectors focusing on seedling breeding, flower cultivation, deep processing and cultural tourism.
The 2025 World Peony Conference and the 34th Heze International Peony Cultural Tourism Festival, collectively referred to as the 2025 Heze Peony Festival, officially kicked off on Tuesday. Featuring four sub-forums and 29 activities, the festival will last one month.
Blooming ‘flower economy’
As the world’s largest peony planting and scientific research and processing base, in recent years, Heze has continued to tap the advantages of peonies in areas such as variety cultivation, industrial expansion, and cultural and tourism integration.
The city has currently cultivated nine color systems, 10 flower shapes and 1,308 varieties, with its planting area and number of varieties ranking first globally.
Besides the peony, Heze has developed the cultivation of other flowers such as the herbaceous peony, rose and gerbera jamesonii. Last year, the city’s sales of fresh-cut herbaceous peony flowers reached 120 million pieces, which were exported to more than 20 countries and regions in the world.
In terms of industrial development, Heze has built a complete industrial chain from planting and processing to tourism and cultural creativity.
Having more than 120 peony production and processing enterprises and 20 scientific research institutions, the city has developed over 260 peony-derived products, ranging from seed oil, cosmetics and cultural products. Last year, the total output value of the peony industry reached 13 billion yuan (about $1.8 billion).
As Heze’s most beautiful business card, peony has become a powerful engine for the high-quality development of cultural tourism, said Yu Jiannan, head of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.
Promoting cultural exchanges
On Wednesday and Thursday, the Heze Peony International Communication Forum was held. A series of activities, such as the digital interpretation of paintings which converts static paintings into dynamic images, and digital images of peonies generated by ChatGPT, have injected new impetus into the international dissemination of peony culture through technological empowerment.
In recent years, Heze has deeply explored the values of peonies, and actively created a friendly cultural symbol for global communication.
In addition to the holding of the forum, the city has established overseas sub-venues of the Peony Festival in countries such as the Netherlands, Japan and South Korea.
It has also set up peony culture communication stations in Brazil, Malaysia, Romania and other countries, and held award events related to the peony to introduce the beauty of peonies to more than 50 Belt and Road partner countries, offering an intriguing window into the popular perception of peony culture.
The festival has built an important platform for enhancing friendship, strengthening cooperation and cultural exchanges, said Yu.
For more information, please click:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-10/Heze-s-peony-industry-boosts-development-cultural-exchanges-1Csq6ZnsAco/p.html
Hashtag: #CGTN
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Strategic Selection: A Global Education Hub
For students planning to study abroad, choosing a university often means balancing academic reputation with a curriculum that aligns with current industry needs and global trends. Hong Kong’s blend of Eastern and Western cultures, strong academic institutions, and global career pathways makes it a natural draw. Through CUHK’s Scholarship Nomination Programme for Vietnamese students, Dat identified a programme that stood apart. “CUHK quickly became my top and only choice because of its strong reputation, supportive community, and the unique major I was passionate about,” he shared.
Bridging Technical Rigour and Holistic Education
Since joining the Faculty of Engineering, Dat’s academic experience reflects a broader transformation in engineering education. The SEEM curriculum continuously challenges students to think critically and solve complex operational problems. Its unique blend of engineering principles and economic theory equips students to tackle real-world business challenges. Dat has especially valued courses that combine quantitative problem-solving with practical business applications.
Beyond his major, CUHK’s University General Education courses has allowed Dat to explore interdisciplinary fields beyond engineering, reinforcing a holistic perspective that is increasingly valued by global employers.
A Vibrant Campus Environment and Cross-Cultural Connection
Outside the lecture hall, Dat has built a rich university life. He participates in cultural exchange workshops, joins language exchanges with international students, volunteers at campus events, and explores Hong Kong through hiking trips.
One memory stands out in particular: celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival on campus with close Vietnamese friends. “Sharing these special cultural moments made me feel truly at home and gave me more confidence adapting to university life,” he noted. For Dat, CUHK is defined by the balance of academic rigour and inspiring community.
CUHK’s Systems Engineering and Engineering Management Programme
The SEEM programme prepares graduates to manage complex, data-driven systems across modern industries by integrating engineering technology with management. Key highlights include:
- Specialised Streams: Offers focused specialisation streams in Business Information Systems and Decision Analytics.
- Analytical Toolkit: Trains students in advanced mathematical tools including optimisation, stochastic modelling, and computer simulation.
- Technology at the Core: Infuses core engineering studies with cutting-edge expertise in machine learning, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
- Global Career Paths: Equips competitive graduates for prominent positions in asset management, information technology consulting, and e-commerce supply chain management.
For more information about CUHK’s undergraduate programmes, visit https://admission.cuhk.edu.hk/.
Hashtag: #CUHK
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Media OutReach
#legend Celebrates 10+ Years with Major Digital Milestone as Chairman Bruce Rockowitz Highlights Next Growth Chapter
Founded in Hong Kong, #legend has developed into a recognized destination for readers seeking curated coverage at the intersection of luxury, culture, and contemporary lifestyle. The platform’s editorial scope spans fashion, watch and jewellery, beauty, music, art and design, dining, travel, tech, motors, and wellness, with a focus on the people and ideas shaping modern culture.
“The new readership milestone signals more than audience growth. It marks a broader phase of momentum for the brand as #legend increases editorial investment across its core Culture, Watch and Jewellery, Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle verticals while continuing to deepen relationships with luxury advertisers and collaborators,” said Bruce Rockowitz, Chairman of #legend. The print and digital publication currently works with 150+ brand partners, reflecting sustained market confidence in its editorial positioning and audience relevance.
Over the past 10+ years, #legend has published more than 100 cover stories featuring influential figures and culturally significant voices. That editorial body of work has helped define the brand’s identity in Hong Kong’s media space, where readers increasingly seek quality over volume and distinct perspective over generic content. As print and digital media becomes more fragmented, #legend’s growth points to continued demand for trusted storytelling with a clear cultural lens.
“Reaching more than 500,000 monthly readers on our digital platforms is an important moment for us, especially as we look back on over a decade of building #legend,” said Steve Rockowitz, CEO & Publisher of #legend. “It reflects the strength of our editorial direction, the loyalty of our audience, and the value of creating stories that connect culture with lifestyle in a way that feels relevant to Hong Kong and the region.”
As part of its next stage of development, #legend is placing greater emphasis on the categories that have shaped its readership base and brand identity. That includes continued focus on premium storytelling in culture, watch and jewellery, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, along with expanded collaboration across its creative and commercial network. The company said these priorities are intended to strengthen both audience engagement and long-term partnership value.
The milestone also highlights the publication’s role in a changing luxury media environment, where advertisers are increasingly selective about context, audience alignment, and editorial quality. By combining scale with a distinct local voice and premium subject matter, #legend continues to position itself as a strong print and digital platform for both readers and brand partners in Hong Kong.
Bruce Rockowitz and the business of media growth
Bruce Rockowitz has recently spoken about the practical role of innovation and technology in building stronger businesses across media and other consumer-facing sectors. In reported commentary, he has emphasized the value of tools that improve personalization, audience engagement, operational efficiency, and subscription retention, while maintaining that creativity, judgment, and human connection remain central to brand building. That perspective aligns with broader industry shifts as digital publishers look for sustainable ways to grow audience loyalty and commercial relevance.
With its latest audience milestone, #legend is entering its next chapter from a position of measurable traction. The company’s 10+ year track record, 500K+ monthly readership, 100+ cover stories, and 150+ brand partners together reflect a publication that is not only established, but still building.
Hashtag: #legend
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About #legend
#legend is Hong Kong’s premier digital destination for fashion, beauty, culture, and the extraordinary lives of the city’s most influential figures. Founded in Hong Kong, #legend has grown from a local publication into an influential voice in Asian luxury lifestyle media. The platform covers Culture, Watches & Jewellery, Fashion, Travel, Wellness, Design, Beauty, and related verticals, through print, digital, social media, and event experiences, with a mission to celebrate creativity, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence, connects influential audiences with the people, brands, and ideas shaping the future of luxury living.
For more information, visit: https://hashtaglegend.com/about
Media OutReach
5.096 Million Units Exported in Six Months: Beyond the Headline Figure, China is Reshaping Global Automotive Rules
The Chery Fulwin T7 (marketed overseas as the LEPAS L6) serves as a flagship model representing this transformation. Designed as a “born-global” vehicle, it adopts a reverse roll-out strategy—debuting in international markets prior to initiating domestic pre-sales.
Industry observers note that the significance of Chinese automakers participating in the formulation of global standards far outweighs mere export volume. Traditional automotive powerhouses are now poised to face increasingly formidable competitors.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
