The grand opening of the 2023 Huangyan Citrus Festival takes place on Nov 11 at the Chinese Citrus Museum in Taizhou's Huangyan district. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

The grand opening of the 2023 Huangyan Citrus Festival took place on Nov 11 at the Chinese Citrus Museum in Taizhou's Huangyan district. This year's festival showcased the rich historical and cultural heritage of Huangyan as the birthplace of citrus, with a focus on technology and culture.

Citrus cultivation is the largest fruit industry in Taizhou, covering a vast area of 430,000 mu (28,666 hectares) in the city. It holds the top spot in both area and yield among all cities in Zhejiang province.

One of the highlights of the citrus festival was the International Symposium on the Origin and Spread of Huangyan Mandarin Oranges. This symposium brought together experts from various countries such as Australia, South Korea, Japan and the United States, as well as domestic experts, sparking stimulating brainstorming sessions.

With its 16th edition, the Huangyan Citrus Festival has evolved into a crucial platform for promoting the development of Taizhou's citrus and cultural tourism industry. Additionally, it serves as a window for external exchanges and showcases the city's vibrant citrus heritage to the world.