Taiwan: Based on its success in displaying the best of Taipei with a pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, the city of Taipei has managed to outdo itself by organizing what is described as the best flora expo in half a century.

After viewing the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo, Doeke Faber, president of the International Association of Horticultural Producers, said that this exhibition is “the most refreshing, the most innovative and the most creative in the 50-year history of AIPH-sponsored flora expos.”

Dr. Faber made the comments at a press conference after attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Expo Dome together with Mayor Hau Lung-bin and other dignitaries.

“Taipei has done what it promised to achieve five years ago, when it applied for the right to host the 2010 Flora Expo, and that is to host the best Flora Expo ever,” he said.

Announcing the formal opening of the event, Hau said that the Flora Expo has truly put Taiwan on the world map.

“In order to promote itself, a city needs to host major events. Therefore, after hosting the Deaflympics in 2009, the city government participated in the Shanghai World Expo this year by presenting the Taipei Pavilion. Also this year, the city is playing host to the Flora Expo and next year, a world exhibition of creative designs will be held in the capital city,” Hau pointed out.

The mayor has stressed the importance of building a base of experience. By having the Taipei Pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai, the city government was able to learn from that experience, which was very useful when Taipei prepared for its own Flora Expo.

The Taipei Pavilion, located at the World Expo’s Urban Best Practice Area (UBPA) in Puxi, finished its 184-day run at the end of October but will open again at the Pavilion of Future in the Xinsheng Park Area of the Flora Expo in Taipei, after the ongoing flower exhibition ends.