The 2014 Qingdao Horticultural Expo executive committee signed a cooperation agreement on March 27 with Pattaya, a seaside Thailand town.

"The contract is a major step forward to promote the 2014 gala," said Feng Bin, director of the promotion department of the Executive Committee of the 2014 Qingdao Horticultural Expo.

The expo has attracted many global organizations and enterprises including the UK’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the Australian Trade Commission, Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd and Maersk Shipping Co Ltd in a planned exhibition area of 5.3 sq km, in which 11 million visitors will be expected to arrive.

"We will invite more than 100 expo participants, of which international organizations would account for around 30 percent of the total. Qingdao remains confident about organizing a creative, distinctive and memorable exposition," said Feng.

Pattaya officials will design a pavilion with unique local plants and cultural characteristics.

The Pattaya deputy mayor said, "The two cities are coastal resorts with close trade ties, so we have much in common."

"We look forward to have better cooperation with the Qingdao Municipal Government to organize more comprehensive educational and cultural activities," he added.

The Qingdao Horticultural Expo will be held from April 18 to October 18, 2014 in the Baiguoshan Forest Park, Licang district, which is the fourth time for China to host the event, following the 1999 expo in Kunming, 2006 in Shenyang and 2011 in Xi'an.

By Xie Chuanjiao and Zhu Xun (Qingdao Bureau)

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Tom McGregor