A sea elf mascot named Qingqing and an emblem named “Colorful Floriculture” have been unveiled for the 2014 Qingdao International Horticulture Expo that will be held from April 25 to Oct. 25, 2014.Covering 241 hectares, it will be the second-largest event in the city’s history following the Olympic Sailing Competition in 2008.It will include 164 hectares of theme gardens, 15.6 hectares of water, a 77-hectare experience area for visitors and a 55-hectare Expo Village to provide logistical support.The inspiration for the emblem is a traditional Chinese character of a man planting a tree. The character means “art” and also represented gardening in ancient times.The sea elf Qingqing reflects the notion that the sea is the cradle of life in Qingdao, which owes its existence and prosperity to the surrounding waters.Qingqing’s designer Wu Guanying from Tsinghua University noted that “sea is the first word people think of about the city.””I used blue to provide visitors with a vivid image of a seashore city,” he said.Li Fengli, secretary-general of the event’s executive committee, said that more than 80 percent of construction on the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Expo is already completed and the rest will be finished by the end of the year.The pavement of 12 roads was being finished, along with 92 percent of required pipelines. Concrete is being poured at all buildings, including pavilions.”Gardens for the exposition will import foreign plants and flowers apart from indigenous species,” Li said.”Eighty-five countries have confirmed they will have exhibitions, and 52 have handed in their designs.”

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Preparations take root for 2014 intl horticulture expo