Composite photo shows that a flower grower in Yunnan (left) “hands over” a rose to a woman (right) in Bangkok, Thailand.[left photo/Hu Cha from Xinhua,right photo/Zhang Keren from Xinhua]

[InKunming--Sister Cities] China and Southeast Asian countries have strengthened cooperation in economic and trade fields under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Thanks to the opening of Kunming-Bangkok Expressway, it only takes about 40 hours to transport flowers packed in Yunnan to Bangkok.

The scene at Dounan Flower Auction and Trade Center in Kunming on February 12.[photo/Jiang Wenyao from Xinhua]

At present, there are more than 40 categories and 500 varieties of flowers sold at Dounan flower market daily. At the peak time, 8 million to 10 million flowers will be exported to over 50 countries and regions, among which 20 to 30 percent are sold to South and Southeast Asian countries. 

A flower grower is taking blooming roses at Jinyuan Flower Industrial Park in Stone Forest on February 14.[photo/Jiang Wenyao from Xinhua]

With a suitable temperature and long sunshine, there are blooming flowers all year round in Yunnan which is gradually becoming the main flower planting area in China. 

4Workers at a flower store in Bangkok, Thailand, are making flower boxes by using flowers imported from Yunnan on February 14. [photo/Zhang Keren from Xinhua]

 A large number of flowers, such as carnations and roses, which are not easy to grow in tropical areas, go popular in Thai flower market. In fact, Yunnan flowers going out is an epitome that Yunnan has expanded  cooperation with neighboring countries in recent years under China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Click here to view Chinese report. 

(Editors: Rachel, Christine)