By Xuyang Jingjing

Thirty years ago, Chen Junyu was the first to suggest that China should have a national flower.

A professor at Beijing Forestry University and an expert on mei flower (Chinese plum blossom), he spent three decades asking the government, academics and the public to put aside their differences and rally around a flower that best represents the country.

The lack of a clear government response over the years has worn down the most enthusiastic advocate.

"I'm 94 now. I don't have the time or energy any more. I'm laying my hands off the matter," said the silver-haired Tianjin-born floral expert who, despite being in good spirits, sometimes relies on a wheelchair to get around.

Chen, who has been researching flowers since he graduated from Nanjing University in 1943, very much still hopes the country would announce a national flower. He is currently working on two books about flowers both in Chinese and in English.

Many countries in the world have picked a national flower either after an official process or popular consent. And it's a pity that China doesn't have one,

Chen said during a telephone interview from his home on the campus of Beijing Forestry University where he grows more than a dozen plum blossoms.

The Global Times tried to obtain the status on the effort to select a national flower. Although many had suggestions and opinions about this issue, the government office responsible for this issue, the National Forestry Bureau, said they're not allowed to comment.

Guo Liping of the Chinese Academy of Forestry, whose job is to help select a national flower, tree and bird, said that the campaigns have not stopped but she was unable to discuss the issue.

Peony or plum blossom

The two flowers that many feel should come out on top are the peony and plum blossom.

Both the tree peony and plum blossom originated in China and are popular among the Chinese people. Numerous tales in Chinese literature have praised the beauty of peonies – which was commonly called the king of all flowers.

In Chinese literature and tradition, peony represents wealth, prestige and prosperity, while plum blossom symbolizes integrity, persistence, unyielding willpower, and endurance of hardship.

In ancient China, both flowers were officially declared the national flower on separate occasions.

In the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Empress Cixi named the peony the national flower, and a guohua tai or garden, was built in 1903 in the Summer Palace to grow peonies.

Plum blossoms became the flower of Taiwan Province in 1964. 

It is widely believed that the peony fits the popular taste of the general public with its large blooms and variety of colors, while the plum blossom has considerably smaller blooms and is often preferred by intellectuals for its symbolic meanings.

Li Jizan, a professor at Northwest University in Shaanxi, objected to the idea of having two official flowers. He said the peony is a better choice because it is the most beautiful of all flowers and is simply more popular.

The issue has been raised within the ranks of government. 

Zong Licheng, a member to the advisory CPPCC, submitted a proposal to the two sessions in 2009 that favored the peony.

"Peonies symbolize wealth and prestige… our country is booming and prosperous; plum blossoms are a little bit too shabby, forlorn and bleak to be the national flower," he said.

The general public seems immune to the debate.

"What's the national flower? The best flower of all flowers?" said Beijing cook Wang Xiumin, 35, as he chopped cabbage. "I have no idea. Haven't paid any attention to it."

Xu Liuming, 38, originally from Henan Province, who recycles used electronic devices and old newspapers, had a similar view.

"I don't know about national flowers. I don't pay much attention to these kinds of things," Xu said. "What does it have to do with me? But I hope the peony wins though because it is really famous where we come from."

Professor Cheng Fangyun of Beijing Forestry University and a peony expert, said those involved in the debate should examine history. 

"I don't believe it's necessary to select a national flower because the peony has always been the national flower ever since the Tang Dynasty (618-907)," Cheng said. "There's no need to argue over or choose a national flower. It's just a matter of acknowledging history."

Cheng believes that the peony is a symbol of all things good and beautiful. "It is perfection," he said. "It shows people's longing for a beautiful life."

Old debate

Cheng, 49, said that people who fuss and argue over a national flower are ignorant of history and culture, and some may just be looking to boost the local economy while others want to add prestige to their research area.
Li Qingwei, 43, vice dean at the school of forestry at Beijing Forestry University, came out in support of the dual national flower idea.

"China is just too big geographically, and both flowers are popular," he said. "So why not let both become national flowers? That's harmonious."

Li believes it's necessary, critical even, to promote a national flower like plum blossom especially in today's world where many people pursue material wealth.

"There's a general loss of faith and the spirit of the plum blossom is especially needed," he said.

Lin Yan, a teacher at Zhejiang Normal University who has researched floral culture, objected to the peony being the top flower.

"Peony is associated with wealth and prestige. If the pursuit of wealth and power becomes the mainstream way of thinking, it's not good for our society," he said.

From his research, Lin concluded that people who admired or were associated with plum blossoms are honest and capable, while those associated with peonies are troublemakers.

Peony was popular during the Tang Dynasty and was a symbol of the  prosperity in that era. But Lin said the peony caused the fall and demise of the empire because people who loved peonies lavished themselves in comfort and enjoyed power.

"Plum blossoms are often associated with heroes. People would never compare a revolutionary soldier or a hero to the peony," he said.

Lin argued that the plum blossom was widely considered the national flower before the founding of the new China, and since the new China never abolished it or declared a replacement, the plum blossom should still be considered the national flower.

Some say that it was the national flower under Kuomingtang's regime and the new China should not use it.

"I think that's absurd. With that logic, shouldn't we tear down the Palace Museum as well because that's where the emperors lived?" Lin argued. 

The city of Luoyang in Henan Province and Heze in Shandong were among the most enthusiastic supporters of making the peony the national flower in order to boost local tourism and their flower industries. Both cities are famous for the flower and each sponsors a peony fair or festival in the spring. The peony industry has been key to their development.

"Once the peony becomes the national flower, it would generate great fortune," Lin Jijian, deputy director of the Luoyang Tourism Bureau, told Mudan Evening News, a Heze-based newspaper. "Every industry and product related to the peony will have an increased value… there will be more tourists to these cities to admire the flowers."

Political issue

In March 1994, 30 CPPCC representatives asked the National People's Congress, the top legislative body in China, to endorse a plan to select and decide on a national flower as soon as possible.

So the government established a "national flower voting and selection office," and launched a campaign to select the floral emblem. Proposals and votes were gathered from each provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.

When the nationwide voting started in 1994, Zhang Shijun, then mayor of Luoyang, opened a special office to promote the peony as the national flower. He was joined by supporters from Beijing, Xi'an in Shaanxi Province and Heze in Shandong Province, all of whom collectively campaigned to elevate the peony to the top.

Chen, who previously endorsed both the peony and plum blossom to serve as dual national flowers, fervently objected to the idea of the peony as the only national flower and the proposal was never passed. Several other experts also backed Chen.

Since then, the issue has been raised every year at the annual legislative meetings.

In 2004, 112 people's representatives proposed that the country decide on a national bird, national tree and national flower as soon as possible. The National Forestry Bureau responded by saying that they were working on the selection of the three emblems and would announce a result before the 2008 Olympic Games but that has not happened.

Today, the government agencies remain silent on the matter.

It's unlikely the country will announce a flower truce soon, according to Kong Haiyan, an officer in charge of the national flower selection campaign at the China Flower Association.

"There's really no progress at the moment. It's complicated," Kong said.