Exhibitors from more than 20 countries and regions have confirmed their participation in the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Expo (QIHE) till April, according to a work conference held on May 3.

"A number of overseas government agencies, international organizations and sister cities will send delegations to participate in the Expo," said Wang Jianxiang, Qingdao vice-mayor and the executive director general of the QIHE Executive Committee.

"Kyoto of Japan, Loire of France, Mannheim of Germany and Odessa of Russia have all officially confirmed," said Wang.

Domestically, seven provinces and cities confirmed their participation in the horticultural expo, including Hubei, Jiangsu, Guangxi, Ningxia, Henan, Hebei and Shanghai. Seven cities in Shandong province have selected their exhibition sites in the horticultural expo park. Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan will also take part.

Eight companies such as Qingdao-based Tsingtao Beer and Beijing-based Hairun Group detailed their design plans. Their exhibit locations are in the Green Garden.

Tongji University of Shanghai, Qingdao Agricultural University and National Engineering Research Center for Floriculture have also accepted invitations.

Exhibitor recruitment is set to conclude at the end of September this year and the Expo will present visitors with both worldwide diversity and local characteristics, he added.

The Expo will be held from April 18 to October 18, 2014. It will be another grand international event after the city successfully held the Olympic Sailing Regatta and Paralympics Games in 2008.

By Xie Chuanjiao and Hu Qing (China Daily Qingdao Bureau)

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Rakhee M