CHINA DAILY FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2010 fujianspecial ?

PHOTOS PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY An artistic rendering of Fujian pavilion Fujian treasure trove sails into Expo

By HU MEIDONG AND LU WEI Opening-up  e province was among the fi rst to open  e Fujian pavilion resembles a ship in up to the outside world and was a pilot zone green, blue and white and represents the of reform in China. geographical location of the province on Since ancient times, white porcelain, from the western bank of the Straits. Dehua in Fujian, has played a signifi cant  e pavilion occupies a fl oor space of 600 role in international trade. square meters and is decorated with banyan  e province has also produced a host tree patterns –the provincial emblem. of famous people, including Lin Zexu, Inspired by the architectural idea of the a scholar and official during the Qing sea melting into the sky, Fujian pavilion dynasty (1644-1911) who was known as the off ers an insight into the province’s land- fi rst Chinese person in modern China who scape and culture. typical landscape including the Wuyi Moun- opened his eyes to look at the world, as well tain, Gulangyu Islet and Jiuqu Stream. as Yan Fu, a scholar and translator famous Four zones In the interactive zone, three big balls, for introducing western ideas.  e pavilion is divided into four zones: a each with a diameter of 2-m house the artis- Fujian has established trade relations with scenic zone; interactive zone; showcase zone tic works of bodyless lacquerware, Dehua 219 countries and regions worldwide. Over and treasures zone. white porcelain and lacquer carving. In 120 multinational companies have invested in In the scenic zone, there is a large jade the showcase zone, visitors can learn about 176 projects in the province. Among the top sculp- ture of the sea tea culture, porcelain and lacquerware and 500 Chinese businessmen in the world, 200 god- dess Mazu, watch performances telling stories from entrepreneurs come from Fujian province. A jade sculpture of the sea goddess Mazu, standing at 3.23 meters high stand- ing at 3.23 Fujian’s history.  ese will include puppet meters high. shows and Nanyin music, a traditional Fujian-Taiwan  ere are also opera sung in the Minnan (south Fujian) Fujian has a close relationship with Tai- screens high- dialect. wan, with 80 percent of Taiwanese residents lighting The treasures zone, decorated with of Fujian descent. Fujian’s mahogany wood in the ancient style, will Xiamen was one of the fi rst cities in China exhibit collections of precious historical to be opened up to foreign trade and invest- artifacts. ment as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 1979. Green Fujian Because of the closeness both geographi-  ere are nine municipal cities in Fujian cally and culturally with Taiwan, the Xiamen including Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, SEZ has targeted Taiwan to attract Taiwanese Zhangzhou, Putian, Longyan, Sanming, investment and facilitate bilateral trade. Over Nanping, and Ningde, as well as 85 county- the last few decades, Fujian has maintained level cities, counties and districts. close business and trade connections with  e province has the most forest coverage Taiwan. in China.  e air quality and water quality In May 2009, over 8,000 Taiwanese of the major rivers are also among the best compatriots participated in the fi rst Straits in the country.  e area is also known for Forum, and it is hoped that this will become its scenic spots. Popular resorts include the an important platform for cross-Straits com- A wooden table where Fujian’s tea ceremony will be exhibited during the Expo Wuyi Mountain, Gushan in Fuzhou, Tailao munication. Mountain in east Fujian and Wanshiyan in Xiamen. Harmonious province The province has a special tea culture. carving masterpiece made in Fuzhou, The province also has many beautiful Fujian has always made great efforts to Anxi Tieguanyin tea, Oolong tea, Tanyang Dehua porcelain made in Dehua, and the beaches, such as the beach on Gulangyu create a harmonious society and cultural Kung Fu tea and Fuding White Tea will be Mazu statue made in Hui’an. Islet of Xiamen, the Luanwan Beach on environment. on show at the Expo. The Shoushan stone named “Spring Dongshan Island, the Longwangtou Beach  e province was the one of the earliest to Song”is the world’s largest stone carving at Pingtan and Meizhou Island at Putian. implement a minimum living standard secu- Treasures masterpiece , worth 130 million yuan. It is Its numerous rivers offer many pic- rity system, waive tuition fees for urban and Four of the province’s greatest treasures 0.78 m wide, 1.4 m high and 56 birds of vari- turesque spots, including the Jiuqu rural students at the compulsory education will be displayed in the pavilion.  ese are ous shapes carved on the stone symbolize To make this bodiless lacquer vase Stream in Wuyi Mountain and Jinhu stage, as well as incorporate rural workers in the peony bodyless lacquer vase, the largest the harmony and unity of the 56 Chinese requires skilled craftsmanship Lake. the unemployment insurance scheme. laquer vase in China, and Shoushan stone ethnic groups of China.

A ‘ding’ (a traditional Chinese carving) “Spring Song”, a Shoushan stone-carving on Inside of the interactive zone specially made for the World Expo display at the Fujian pavilion