Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

The promotion group for the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo from Taipei City Government visited the greater Taichung area on April 11, hoping to entice residents in the municipalities to come to the event. In addition to offering incense at the renowned Dajia Jhenlan Temple, the members also visited the green corridor and flower fields in Houli Township.
Mayor Hau Lung-bin, the leader of the promotion group, exchanged gifts with Chairman Yen Ching-piao during the stopover at Jhenlan Temple. He offered fruits, prayers, and incense to the goddess Matsu and prayed for the good fortune of the country. He also extended the invitation to Yen to visit the expo in November.
At Houli Township, the mayor served as the witness at a “marriage” ceremony between the kapok and the kalanchoe – the city flower of Taichung City and Taichung County – to mark the upcoming merger of the two municipalities. Other dignitaries serving as witnesses include Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu and Taichung County Magistrate Huang Chung-sheng.
During his speech, Hau said the flower expo is expected to attract over eight million people during the period of the event – of which 40 million will be foreign tourists. Starting in November this year, the expo will be the largest international event in Taiwan's history. He also expressed his gratitude to Huang and Hu for their support.
Speaking to representatives from the floriculture industry in Taichung, Hau noted that Taipei City Government has ordered approximately NT$10 million-worth of related goods from local suppliers for the expo.