To be fully prepared for the upcoming 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Exposition, in the city of Qingdao, Shandong province, the organizers held a press conference, on April 24, in Qingdao, which pulled in the event's chief planner, Wu Zhiqiang, who was also the Shanghai Expo 2010's planner, along with Zhu Yuetao and Bian Cheng, the deputy secretary-general of this year's horticultural expo, Xue Qingzeng, the vice-minister of Qingdao's Publicity Department, as well as many reporters from media from across the country.

Zhu explained that Qingdao is well-prepared for the upcoming gala, with seven themed zones, five experience areas, and major facilities in the garden and surroundings. Its theme is "From the earth, for the Earth" and it plans to give visitors a feast for the eyes with an abundance of flowers and garden styles, from 37 countries and regions, and from China's different regions.

He went on to say that it will showcase new varieties of plants and will differ from previous events by having marine flora and a maritime culture, at its oceanic botanical pavilion, the first of its kind. The expo design also combines new technology with a smart way of life to protect nature and conserve water, energy and other resources, in an environmentally conscious, innovative way.

Wu, the chief planner, used the press conference to explain some of the design highlights and said that he expects every visitor to be able to explore the special landscapes and that the expo will be a new calling card for Qingdao and a way to show its face to the world.

The 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Expo opens in the city's Baiguoshan Forest Park, on April 25 and will run til Oct 25.