Huazhou Bonsai Garden Becomes a Huazhou Science Popularization Demonstration Base
Zheng Daxing's Chinese hackberry (Celtis sinensis) collection in Zhanjiang, Guangdong
Appreciating three bonsai works by Xie Keying
(Title: "Early Spring in the South" Tree species: red kapok (Bombax ceiba) Specifications: tree height 63 cm)
(Title: "Humble as a Valley" Tree species: elm (Ulmus) Specifications: tree height 76 cm)
(Title: "Sparse Shadows" Tree species: Fujian tea (Carmona retusa))
Xie Keying, a native of Huazhou, Guangdong. He formerly served as a standing director of the China Bonsai Artists Association, a standing director of the Guangdong Provincial Bonsai Association, and executive vice president of the Zhanjiang Bonsai Association. He is passionately devoted to the art of bonsai. Building on the Lingnan bonsai traditions of "shaping according to the tree" and "storing branches and truncating the trunk," he has boldly practiced and keenly innovated, producing a steady stream of fine works. His works have gradually formed an artistic style of "vigorous and majestic yet elegant, natural and unrestrained, graceful and refined." His representative works, including "Southern Charm," "Proud Son of an Era," and "Humble as a Valley," have respectively won first prizes and gold awards at national bonsai exhibitions as well as those in Guangdong, Hong Kong, China, Macao, China, and Taiwan, China.
Huang Chunhua's bonsai collection
"Huazhou Science Popularization Demonstration Base" Established at Huazhou Bonsai Garden
Original author | Li Jian, Guangdong Provincial Bonsai Association
This article is an original submission by Li Jian, first published on "Lingnan Bonsai Network." Copyright belongs to the original author Li Jian.
On the afternoon of October 18, 2018, Li Zhenghui, chairman of the Huazhou Science and Technology Association of Maoming City, Guangdong Province, and vice chairman Lao Xinxing, along with several others, visited Huazhou Bonsai Garden to inspect and guide its work. They held a joint discussion with representatives of the Huazhou Bonsai and Ornamental Stone Association and unveiled the plaque for the "Huazhou Science Popularization Demonstration Base."
The Huazhou Bonsai and Ornamental Stone Association is a professional, non-profit social organization affiliated with the municipal Forestry Bureau and supervised by the municipal Civil Affairs Bureau. It is voluntarily composed of people engaged in the research of bonsai, ornamental stones, and root art, as well as bonsai production, and enthusiasts of bonsai, ornamental stone appreciation, and root art. Founded in 2009, its purpose is to unite and organize bonsai art, ornamental stone, and root art enthusiasts throughout the city, actively carry out academic research and exchange activities, promote the development of bonsai, ornamental stone, and root carving art, and serve the building of socialist spiritual civilization. The association is located in Huazhou Bonsai Garden, beside Qili Primary School, Rujiaowei Villagers' Committee, Dongshan Subdistrict Office, Huazhou City. It currently has more than 100 members and has engaged Huazhou native and Chinese bonsai art master Xie Keying and others as honorary presidents.
Over the years, the Huazhou Bonsai Association has enhanced its cohesion through "inviting in" -- offering styling and creation training classes -- and "going out" -- visiting, exchanging, and networking -- as well as regular internal gatherings, significantly raising members' creative level and broadening their horizons. Through devoted creation, extensive exchange, and academic discussion, the members have brought about a qualitative improvement in the level of Lingnan bonsai art in our city and its reputation within the industry. The flower and bonsai gardens opened and operated by Huazhou Bonsai Association members have created good economic returns as well as hundreds of job opportunities, contributing to the social economy.
Through the efforts of three successive boards of directors, the Huazhou Bonsai Association now has a collective bonsai base and has built an association clubhouse -- a home for members. The next priority will be to integrate resources, serve nearby members and industry professionals, regularly offer bonsai art creation training classes, hold bonsai exhibitions, expand the public base, and spare no effort in promoting and developing Lingnan bonsai art.
After years of quiet dedication, the Huazhou Bonsai Association has achieved certain results in all its work and gained recognition from the Huazhou Science and Technology Association. Over the past two years, leaders of the Science and Technology Association have made multiple visits to the Huazhou Bonsai Association's location -- Huazhou Bonsai Garden -- to investigate, hear reports, and guide its work. Based on the valuable opinions of the Science and Technology Association leaders, the Huazhou Bonsai Association has carried out multiple rounds of rectification and strengthened infrastructure construction at Huazhou Bonsai Garden, gradually improving it to serve members and the industry, thereby further gaining the recognition and praise of the Huazhou Science and Technology Association. Recently, a decision was made to name the Huazhou Bonsai and Ornamental Stone Association Science Popularization Demonstration Base as a "Huazhou Science Popularization Demonstration Base."
Huazhou Science and Technology Association leaders and Huazhou Bonsai Association representatives hold a discussion at the Huazhou Bonsai Association clubhouse
Li Zhenghui, chairman of the Huazhou Science and Technology Association, browses magazine publications with great interest, reading related reports on the Huazhou Bonsai Association, asking questions and offering comments from time to time.
The discussion was chaired by Lao Xinxing, vice chairman of the Huazhou Science and Technology Association
Li Jian (second from right), secretary-general of the Huazhou Bonsai Association, reports on the work to the Science and Technology Association leaders, introduces an overview of the Huazhou Bonsai Association, and briefly describes its work in recent years and the various achievements made
Since its founding, the Huazhou Bonsai Association has united and organized its many members to deeply study Lingnan bonsai art and has strengthened contact and exchange with corresponding organizations within and beyond the province. Currently, 25 members have joined the Guangdong Provincial Bonsai Association, and 2 members have joined the China Bonsai Artists Association. It has organized works to participate in or host the 2005 Huazhou Confucian Temple Restoration Bonsai Exhibition; the 2009 First Huajuhong Culture Festival Exhibition; the 2009 "Prosperous China -- Maoming First Folk Collection Art Treasures Exhibition"; the 2009 Huazhou No. 1 Middle School 95th Anniversary Exhibition; the 2009 Maoming First Agricultural Expo Exhibition; the 2010 Eighth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao-Taiwan Bonsai Art Expo; the 2010 Asian Games Guangzhou International Bonsai Invitational Exhibition; the 2011 Ninth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao-Taiwan Bonsai Art Expo; the 2012 Guangdong Provincial Bonsai Association 25th Anniversary Members' Exhibition; the 2012 Guangdong-Guangxi-Hong Kong (Lianjiang) First Bonsai Art Expo; the 2013 Lecong Lingnan Bonsai Masterpieces Invitational Exhibition; the 2013 China (Guzhen) First National Bonsai Exhibition; the 2014 Huazhou No. 1 Middle School Centennial Anniversary and Huazhou Bonsai Association Second Bonsai and Ornamental Stone Exhibition; the 2014 Tenth (Dongguan) Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao-Taiwan Bonsai Art Expo; the 2015 Asia-Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Conference Bonsai Exhibition; the 2015 Guangdong-Guangxi-Hong Kong (Lianjiang) Second Bonsai Art Expo; the 2016 Ninth (Panyu) China Bonsai Exhibition; the 2016 Eleventh (Taiwan, China) Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao-Taiwan Bonsai Art Expo; the 2017 Gaozhou Eighth "Xian Tai Cup" Bonsai Exhibition; the 2017 Guangdong Provincial Bonsai Association 30th Anniversary Members' Exhibition, Masters' Exhibition, and others, winning gold, silver, bronze, and merit awards. In 2017, Huazhou Bonsai Association member Li Jian was awarded the honorary title of "Guangdong Lingnan Bonsai Artist" by the Guangdong Provincial Bonsai Association...
After hearing the report from the Huazhou Bonsai Association, Li Zhenghui, chairman of the Huazhou Science and Technology Association, spoke. He expressed appreciation for the Huazhou Bonsai Association's infrastructure and related hardware, its work in recent years, and the various achievements made; expressed gratification at the achievements of our city's bonsai art; and explained the related business of the Science and Technology Association. He stated that in the days to come, within the scope of its business, it would provide guidance and support to the best of its ability, offer a platform, and build connections, so that our city's bonsai art can be elevated to a higher level.
The Huazhou Science and Technology Association issues a document to the Huazhou Bonsai Association: "Decision on Naming the Huazhou Bonsai and Ornamental Stone Association Science Popularization Demonstration Base as a Huazhou Science Popularization Demonstration Base"
Participants in the discussion speak enthusiastically
Lao Xinxing, vice chairman of the Science and Technology Association who chaired the discussion, delivers a concluding speech, expressing expectations for the Huazhou Bonsai Association's future work: strengthening science popularization demonstration work and better serving the industry. Amid warm applause from the attendees, the discussion came to a close.
Li Zhenghui (center), chairman of the Science and Technology Association, and his party tour relevant materials and photos at the Huazhou Bonsai Association clubhouse. Li Zhixin (left), a director of the Huazhou Bonsai Association, introduces the donations received for the association's annual meeting this year, reflecting the membership's united, ownership-minded spirit.
Ke Qiangguang (center), executive vice president of the Huazhou Bonsai Association, introduces industry-related information to Li Zhenghui (right), chairman of the Science and Technology Association.
Li Jian (front left), secretary-general of the Huazhou Bonsai Association, reports to the Science and Technology Association leaders: After three successive boards of directors' persistent and arduous efforts, and selfless dedication to serving members, the Huazhou Bonsai Association won the appreciation and support of renowned bonsai masters in the Pearl River Delta -- China's most developed bonsai region -- and also received large donations from these enthusiastic individuals, which enabled the launch of the Huazhou Bonsai Association's important construction projects.
Li Jian (left), secretary-general of the Huazhou Bonsai Association, introduces to the Science and Technology Association leaders the city's only bonsai work that took part in an ice-breaking journey across the strait -- traveling to the treasure island of Taiwan, China, for exhibition -- the Chinese wingnut (Pterocarya stenoptera).
Science and Technology Association leaders tour the bonsai displayed in the garden
Science and Technology Association leaders tour the bonsai displayed in the garden
Unveiling of the "Huazhou Science Popularization Demonstration Base" plaque. First from right: Lao Xinxing, vice chairman of the Science and Technology Association; second from right: Li Zhenghui, chairman of the Science and Technology Association; first from left: Zhou Zhiyuan, director of Huazhou Bonsai Garden; second from left: Ke Qiangguang, executive vice president of the Huazhou Bonsai Association
Unveiling, with celebratory fireworks. Ceremony complete!
Science and Technology Association leaders and Huazhou Bonsai Association representatives pose for a group photo
From left to right: Chen Wei, director of the Science Popularization Department of the Science and Technology Association; Ke Qiangguang, executive vice president of the Bonsai Association; Zhou Zhiyuan, director of Huazhou Bonsai Garden; Li Yalin, director of the Bonsai Association; Li Zhenghui, chairman of the Science and Technology Association; Chen Kangquan, vice president of the Bonsai Association; Li Zhixin, director of the Bonsai Association; Zeng Jiahao, director of the Bonsai Association; Lao Xinxing, vice chairman of the Science and Technology Association; Yan Cailong, first president of the Huazhou Bonsai Association; Zhu Zhanping, staff member at the director level of the Science and Technology Association; Li Xiaoyan, director of the Youth Department of the Science and Technology Association.
Chen Kangquan (front left), vice president of the Huazhou Bonsai Association, accompanies the Science and Technology Association leaders on a tour of Huazhou Bonsai Garden.
Science and Technology Association leaders visit the bonsai garden of Zhou Zhiyuan, vice president of the Huazhou Bonsai Association and director of Huazhou Bonsai Garden
Science and Technology Association leaders engage in wide-ranging exchanges with Huazhou bonsai enthusiasts
Science and Technology Association leaders move on to visit Lvyuan Flower and Bonsai Garden.
Lvyuan Flower and Bonsai Garden is a large-scale landscaping project founded by Pang Weicai and Zeng Jiahao, members of the Huazhou Bonsai and Ornamental Stone Association, combining leisure sightseeing with production and sales. The garden is filled with a profusion of flowers, lush with ancient trees, and elegant in environment, and has gradually become one of the regional industry landmarks. Lvyuan Flower and Bonsai Garden is located opposite the Dongfanghong Villagers' Committee on the Maoming-Huazhou Express Line, covers more than 50 mu, was founded in 2014, and has so far seen investment of nearly ten million yuan, with an annual output value of 6 million yuan, creating more than 20 job opportunities and contributing to our city's social economy.
Science and Technology Association leaders pose for a photo with bonsai friends in front of the rockery water feature at Lvyuan
A Huazhou TV cameraman follows along to document the visit
Li Zhenghui (second from right), chairman of the Science and Technology Association, and Lao Xinxing (third from right), vice chairman of the Science and Technology Association, wave farewell to the Huazhou Bonsai Association representatives. This event concludes successfully.
Highlights replay:
Chinese bonsai welcomes you!
Enjoyat any timethe bonsai exhibition hall
Promote bonsai culture, exchange bonsai skills!
Appreciate bonsai art, share a happy life!