Nanyang has begun preparing for the 2019 World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) Regional Convention, it was announced on Feb 28.

The convention is a international event held by the WFRS and will take place in the Henan province city from April 27 to May 2, 2019.

The event seeks to promote rose culture and use it to help with the promotion of green development, as well as demonstrate the latest achievements in China's rose industry and promote Nanyang's local brands.

Top officials from the China Flower Association (CFA), Henan Flower Association and the local government of the city of Nanyang attended the preparatory meeting and made speeches.

Zhang Zuoshuang, head of CFA Chinese Rose Society, stressed that the rose industry had become a pillar industry in Nanyang that brings increasingly more income to local residents. He added that the society would provide full support to help Nanyang host the world level rose convention.

He Dongcheng, head of Henan Flower Association, expressed his hope for participating departments to clarify their responsibilities in holding the convention and encouraged all residents in the city to take part in the event.

Nanyang Party Secretary Zhang Wenshen, also spoke at the meeting and said that the city should use the opportunity to introduce itself to the world, to improve the image of the city, and further develop local tourism via rose culture.

A notification about the preparatory work for the 2019 WRFS Regional Convention was also released at the meeting.