Remarks by Ambassador Tan Jian at the China Pavilion Day
2022/10/06

Remarks by Ambassador Tan Jian 

at the China Pavilion Day

29 September 2022

Almere, Netherlands


Excellency Leen Verbeek, King's Commissioner of Flevoland,

Mr. Leonardo Capitanio, President of AIPH,

Mr. Tim Briercliffe,Secretary General of AIPH, 

Mr. Hans Bakker, CEO of Floriade Expo 2022,

Ms. Annemarie Jorritsma, Commissioner General of Floriade Expo 2022,

Mr. Liu Dongsheng, Vice Administrator of China National Forestry and Grassland Administration,

Mr. Peng Youdong, Commissioner General of the China Pavilion,

Dear guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen,


A very good morning to all of you!

It is my great pleasure to join you for the China Pavilion Day.

I wish to extend my sincere congratulations on the success of the Floriade Expo 2022.

I wish to thank the Dutch organization committee, together with the Chinese colleagues, for preparing today’s event.

Thank you all for coming.


Dear friends,

I believe you all like the China Pavilion.

I am told that it is the largest international pavilion in the Floriade; also the largest among all the pavilions China has built abroad for the horticulture Expos held so far.

I therefore would like to express my deep thanks to China National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Flower Association for the project, and relevant Chinese ministries and institutions for their contribution.

Bamboo is seen as a symbol of the Chinese culture. Bamboo slips had been the writing materials by the ancient Chinese before they invented paper. Bamboo has been used to make many musical instruments like flute, zither, etc.

It is resilient, may bend but will not break.

Not to mention that bamboo is the staple food for the panda.

It corresponds well with Floriade Expo’s theme "Developing Green Cities".

Bamboo is fast growing, extensively used in Chinese people’s life, like building materials, furniture, firewood, a delicacy in Chinese cuisine.

Bamboo is GREEN.

On June 24 this year, President Xi Jinping of China launched the Initiative of “Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic”, to reduce plastic pollution and mitigate climate change.

Bamboo not only represents the ancient Chinese civilization, also contributes to building an ecological economy today. 

Dear guests,

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level between our two countries. 

Over the past 50 years, our trade volume has grown nearly 1,700 times, from less than US$ 69 million in 1972 to over 116 billion in 2021.

We are now each other’s large trading partners and investment destinations.

Still, our cooperation could be further explored and expanded, as China is developing into the largest market in the world.

Take the flower sector for instance.

I recall that when we Chinese visiting friends, in the past we brought food or fruits as gifts. Now we give flowers.

We love flowers. In fact, many Chinese cities have hosted or will host horticultural exhibitions, category A 1or B. Chengdu will host horticulture expo in 2024.

China now ranks the first as the top export market for Dutch greenhouses products.

Many Dutch horticultural companies prioritize China in their international business.

There is huge potential of cooperation in agri-horticulture sector.  

Let’s join hands.


Ladies and gentlemen,

Today is the 29th of September.

Floriade will come to an official close on the 9th of October, eleven days to go. Once again, our warm congratulations on its success.

In three days time, on the 1st of October, the People’s Republic of China will celebrate its 73rd anniversary. A big day in China.

This year, 2022, also a big year for our two countries. The China Pavilion is a good gift to the 50th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic relations.

I am confident that Sino-Dutch relations are resilient and will continue to enjoy rapid development, as epitomized by the bamboo.

Thank you.