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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, November 26, 2001

Chinese to Decide National Flower

Chinese are now trying to make decision on their national flower between the peony and Chinese plum blossom. The selection is much harder than it would seem at first glance since both flowers are favored by a large group of people since long ago.

A expert said it makes sense for China to boast of two flowers since one cannot accurately represent all of China's varied geography and climate


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Chinese plum blossom

National flower: Peony? Chinese plum blossom?

Chinese are now trying to make decision on their national flower between the peony and Chinese plum blossom.

The selection is much harder than it would seem at first glance since both flowers are favored by a large group of people since long ago.

Debate history

The debate can be dated back as far as 1982.

In 1994, the Chinese Flower Association launched a nationwide campaign to choose a national flower. The peony was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), but the proposal was quickly shelved.

Expert called for settling the issue

Now Chen Junyu, a fauna and flora expert, is again calling for the issue to be settled once and for all.

The professor with Beijing Forestry University maintained that the national flower symbol is meant to stimulate people's appreciation for both their homeland and nature. More than 100 countries have adopted a national flower.

But Chen said it makes sense for China to boast of two flowers since one cannot accurately represent all of China's varied geography and climate.

Public point of view

Sina.com, China's largest website, recently surveyed whether China needs a national flower. More than half of the 800,000 responded "Yes," while one fifth disagreed, saying China is so vast that no flowers can represent it.



Peonies
In late spring or early summer, peonies emerge as dark red shoots that bear little resemblance to the shrubs they will become. The red shoot matures into a 36-inch lush, green bush in just a few weeks. Flowers last only a week or so, but by selecting early, mid-season, and late varieties you can have up to eight weeks of bloom. In detail



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