For Chinese, Ecuadorian women alike, Ecuadorian roses make dreams a reality (2)

“How romantic! I’m so touched! These roses are very big and fresh. When I arrive home, I will put them in a vase with water--I feel so happy today!” exclaimed Xiao Cai, a young woman living in Beijing. While flying home on China Southern Airlines flight CZ3103 from Guangzhou, Xiao received an Ecuadorian rose delivered by José María Borja, Ecuador's ambassador to China, to commemorate International Women's Day.

In cooperation with China Southern Airlines, the Consulate General of Ecuador in Guangzhou launched a new campaign on March 8: "An Ecuadorian Rose Illuminates Your Journey from Great Heights."

More than 6,000 bracelets with preserved Ecuadorian roses were delivered to passengers on 50 domestic China Southern Airlines flights. Over 10,000 passengers witnessed the event, and the airline’s counters and VIP lounges were decorated with more than 4,500 fresh roses.

"Today, Ecuadorian roses are widely used for many important occasions, such as the Oscars, Golden Globes, Cannes Film Festival and Beijing International Film Festival. Through cooperation with China Southern Airlines, we have achieved a very positive response. China continues to increase the demand for Ecuador's roses each year, which shows that high-quality Ecuadorian products are very popular in China," said Ambassador Borja during the launch.

The senior diplomat added that China and Ecuador are currently experiencing the best bilateral relations in their diplomatic history, defined by their comprehensive strategic partnership. The recent visit to Ecuador by Chinese President Xi Jinping was an honor for the Ecuadorian people, the diplomat said, before noting that China Southern Airlines is opening a major entry point into Latin America via Mexico.

Guo Jianye, chief service officer of China Southern Airlines, remarked: "Ecuador's roses, the queens of all roses, will bring happiness to Chinese women on March 8. We now are together once again, with the hope of embarking on our journey accompanied by their fragrance. These roses will illuminate from above the journey of many women.”

Indeed, Ecuadorian roses not only bring warmth and blessings to women from other countries, they also offer Ecuadorian women good employment opportunities.

According Mariella Molina, consul general of Ecuador in Guangzhou, 51 percent of manual workers in Ecuador’s flower industry are women, a proportion much higher than in other industries. The flower industry requires 10 to 12 workers per hectare of land, Molina pointed out, whereas in agriculture only five workers are needed for every 50 hectares. Therefore, the flower market is particularly important for female employment.

In terms of export volume, Molina said that Ecuador ranks first as a flower exporter to China, representing more than 65 percent of imported roses in the Chinese market. In addition, the Ecuadorian flower sector has increased its exports to China by 84.3 percent since last year. These exports include fresh roses, preserved roses and baby’s breath.

The Ecuadorian flower industry is still a relatively young industry, with only two decades of experience. However, due to Ecuador’s ideal conditions (the country is known as the "closest country to the sun")--including 12 hours of sunlight a day all year, a stable climate, temperatures between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius--the country’s flower industry is developing rapidly.

In China, competition in the floriculture market is intense. Ecuador is trying to stake out its place to help more women accomplish their dreams, both in China and Ecuador.

As the surprised Xiao Cai confessed to People´s Daily Online, she used to be unfamiliar with Ecuador, but her roses inspired a desire to understand the “remote and beautiful” country.