A government-sponsored rewards ceremony was held on Dec 17 in Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi province, honoring those who contributed to the latest 2011 Xi'an International Horticultural Expo.

The ceremony, held in Qujiang Auditorium of Xi'an, was co-sponsored by the Shaanxi provincial government and party committee. It rewarded volunteers, working staff and units that have made remarkable contributions.

Artists performed dances, poetry readings and sang during the ceremony. It reminded audiences of the Expo and thanked them for their help.

In the ceremony, 134 outstanding Party members, 50 Youth League members, 300 volunteers, 30 volunteer organizations and 72 other organizations were picked up and rewarded for their tremendous devotion and dedication in the Expo preparation and operation.

The 2011 Xi'an International Horticultural Expo was held from April 28 to Oct 22 and received more than 15 million visitors, setting a new record for attendance among all previous exhibitions. The event has, "put Xi'an on the map for millions of tourists and visitors who came in the footsteps of Marco Polo and enjoyed the Xi'an hospitality, friendship, culture, music and food," said Doeke Faber, president of the Association of International Horticultural Producers.

Edited by Fu Bo and Rakhee