TOKYO, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government expects to promote Japan-China friendship through participating in and showcasing Japan's horticultural culture and techniques at Beijing horticultural expo, a japanese expert has said.
Toshio Tsutsui, counselor of the Tokyo-based Organization for Landscape and Urban Green Infrastructure, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua ahead of the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing.
Themed on "Live Green, Live Better", the Beijing expo, which opened on Sunday evening, is participated by 110 countries and international organizations, the largest of its kind in history.
The Japanese exhibition is divided into two parts -- the Japanese garden and the Japanese pavilion.
The Japanese garden construction reflects the concept of "integrating the garden and the house," Tsutsui said, adding the outdoor garden display adopts the Japanese classical design involving ponds and springs.
The pavilion, a typical Japanese-style architecture, in turn showcases the flower arrangement works from Japanese masters.
All kinds of seasonal flowers and bonsai, or potted plants, depict the theme of "facing the sea with flowers blooming in all seasons". The pavilion is made of steel with no columns, providing a sweeping view of the Japanese garden through wide windows.
Tsutsui said all plants and stones in the Japanese garden were locally sourced and a large number of local common pine trees were planted, interspersed with a few cherry trees.
Japanese horticulturalists visited several mountains to pick up the boulders with strange shapes, Tsutsui said.
In addition, they placed special stones from China, which are used as the cornerstones of temples or old residences, in the courtyard on the west side of the Japanese pavilion as a symbol of Japan-China friendship.
The Japanese government said on its website that it hopes to promote further development of bilateral relations through the expo and also looks forward to expanding the export of Japanese flowers, and its gardening and greening techniques.
This is the second time China has hosted the world's highest level expo since the event in Kunming, Tsutsui said.
The Beijing expo is most expected, he said, noting that China has experience in hosting such events as the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. China's capability in hosting such large-scale events is awe-inspiring, he added.
