Nanjing Holds Int'l Plum Blossom Festival

Nanjing Holds Int'l Plum Blossom Festival

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An international plum blossom festival opened Saturday in this capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, attracting guests from over 20 countries and regions, including France, Austria, Australia, the United States, Sweden, the Republic of Korea, Britain and Japan.

Plum blossom is the official flower of Nanjing, and local people traditionally view plum blossoms in early spring each year.

Nanjing Mayor Wang Hongmin said at the opening ceremony that the 22-day plum blossom festival, with the theme of "Nanjing in the New Century -- Giving A Smile to the World," will feature the natural scenery, cultural heritage and the current development of Nanjing.

A variety of activities, including parades, vocal and dance performances, a miniature plum blossom trees exhibition, a food festival and a tourism fair will be held during the period.