Taichung flora expo's 6 months long exhibition drew to a successful conclusion today (24th), and the closing ceremony was conducted at the Blossom Outdoor Theater in Houli Horse Ranch Expo Site, where Mayor Shiow-yen Lu and International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) President Mr. Bernard Oosterom co-presented the AIPH award of the World Gardens Competition to the winner - City of Almere, the Netherlands and Netherlands Trade and Investment Office. Mayor Lu expressed thanks to all those involved for the exciting moments in the flora expo, and the City Hall will build on the success of the flora expo to launch onto the global stage. Oosterom praised Taichung as the enduring pride of the world, and he also expressed his gratitude towards the city's efforts in presenting the magnificent City of Taichung to the world.

Nearly 1,000 guests from domestic and abroad were invited to attend the closing ceremony. On the main stage, the flower wall design and oncidium orchid wreaths present the main visual design of Taichung flora expo, while Chio Tian Folk Drums and Arts Troupe and Youth Dance Company staged stunning performances such as Drum of the Earth and Blooming Flowers. In addition to presenting the AIPH award and World Gardens Competition award, Mayor Lu also awarded certificate of appreciation to volunteer organizations including Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Taiwan Power Company, and Taichung City Gentlemen's Association as a token of appreciation for showing the philosophy of Taichung flora expo to the visitors and showcasing the stunning beauty of the flora expo to the world.

The grand finale to the remarkable international event was attended by the following dignitaries: Mayor Lu, Minister of MOTC Chia-lung Lin, Deputy-Speaker Li-min Yan, City Councilors Cheng-tien Chen, Pen-tien Chen, Ling-hsuan Jan, Min-cheng Ho, Yung-chen Lo, Nai-kuan Chang Liao, You-lien Shen, Chien-hao Huang, Chia-wei Lai, Jen Huang, Jung-chin Lin, Cheng-chung Yang, Jung-hung Li, Hsuan-feng Hsu, Chih-chang Shih, Ching-fen Chang, Chao-kun Wang, Shih-chou Liu, Dajia Zhenlan Temple Foundation Chairman Ching-piao Yen, Deputy Mayors Chiung-ying Yang, Tzu-ching Chen, and Bruce Linghu, Secretariat Chung-tien Huang, consultant Yueh-e Li, as well as the Director Generals of various bureaus and departments in the City Hall.

According to Mayor Lu, after years of preparation by the City Hall, Taichung flora expo opened on November 3 last year, and 6 months after that, the efforts came to fruition and the event drew to a successful conclusion today. Taichung flora expo is the culmination of the endeavors of all Taichung citizens, representing one of the proudest moments of the city. On behalf of the City Hall and the City of Taichung, she thanked her predecessors, former Mayors Jason Hu and Chia-lung Lin for bidding to host the flora expo and the preparations that went into organizing the event. She also expressed gratitude towards AIPH for authorizing the City Hall, as well as the assistance of those from the industry, government, academia and volunteer organizations in ensuring the spectacular success of the flora expo. She also emphasized that the closing ceremony of the flora marks the beginning of a new chapter in Taichung, and the City Hall will build on the success of the flora expo to launch onto the global stage.

AIPH President Mr. Bernard Oosterom commended that Taichung flora expo is the pride of the world because it has endowed Taichung with a green lifestyle and brought unity to the city. The flora expo not only demonstrated the beauty of Taiwan's flora but also imbued GNP with new meaning. It is hoped that the new green movement of GNP will encourage the international community to follow in Taichung's footsteps. He thanked Taichung for the efforts in presenting the splendid city to the world.

Minister of MOTC Chia-lung Lin indicated that the flora expo is Taichung's gift to the world. In order to protect the leopard cats and preserve the century-old historic monument of the Houli Horse Ranch, the flora expo site was relocated. Consequently, AIPH subsequently upgraded Taichung International Flora Exposition to Taichung World Flora Exposition. It is believed that the spirit of flora expo will blossom and inject positive energy to future developments in Taiwan.

The list of award winners of the World Gardens Competition was published today. In terms of Overall Landscape Decoration Competition, the AIPH award went to the City of Almere, the Netherlands and Netherlands Trade and Investment Office; the first prize was won by The National Federation of Landscape Association of R.O.C.; the gold award was received by Tanaka Zouendoboku Corporation; the silver awards went to the City of Almere, the Netherlands and Netherlands Trade and Investment Office, and London School of Economics and Political Science Alumni Association Taiwan; the bronze awards were presented to Nantes est un jardin, State of Hawaii U.S.A. Taiwan Office in Taipei and Korea Association for the Advancement of the Flower and Culture; the Awards of Excellence went to Magia del Sur Andino, National Adventure Tour and Trek, and Commercial Office of the Sultanate of Oman-Taiwan.

The Bedding Plant Competition of the World Gardens Competition was left without a gold award recipient; the silver award was received by Far East Oriental Trading Company (Pvt) Ltd; the bronze award went to the London School of Economics and Political Science Alumni Association Taiwan. The Ornamental Plants Competition of the World Gardens Competition was left without a gold award recipient; the silver award was presented to the London School of Economics and Political Science Alumni Association Taiwan; the bronze award sent to The National Federation of Landscape Association of R.O.C.