Chongqing - On November 10, the 7th Yangtze Three Gorges (Liangping) International Pomelo Expo opened in Liangping, attracting guests from around the world to celebrate this renowned local fruit.

As an internationally recognized Wetland City, Liangping has become a destination for global visitors, including diplomatic representatives from Argentina, Pakistan, Germany, Honduras, Cambodia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Serbia, and Singapore, who visited earlier this year. During their visit, the dignitaries showed great interest in the local pomelo industry and expressed hopes for future cooperation. To honor this friendship and mutual commitment to sustainability, Liangping gifted each delegation a pomelo tree, creating what is now known as the “International Friendship Forest”—a living symbol of international ties and shared prosperity.

The expo’s opening ceremony featured a special unveiling of this forest, symbolizing the growing connections between Liangping and these nations. This 304-mu organic pomelo orchard includes 200 mu planted with mature Liangping pomelo trees, creating a lush landscape filled with vibrant green trees and large, golden pomelos. The impressive sight left a lasting impact on the guests. Hussain Nasir, a Pakistani student, remarked on the orchard’s beauty, saying it was unlike anything he’d seen before and that he looked forward to returning to Liangping. Representatives from Pakistan, Germany, Cambodia, Nepal, and Singapore gathered to celebrate this event, while guests from Argentina, Pakistan, Germany, Cambodia, Nepal, and Singapore formally marked their trees, solidifying their bond within the forest.

Group photo at the entrance of the International Friendship Forest in Liangping District, Chongqing. (Photo/Xiong Wei, Liangping District Convergence Media Center ）

Several international student representatives at the event shared their impressions. German student Van Anh Do from Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications appreciated meeting friends from different universities and countries, adding that “everyone is so passionate about this event.” Nepali student Nisha Shrestha Balaya, currently studying urban planning at Chongqing University, found the event valuable for learning about Liangping’s planning systems, garden designs, and agricultural techniques, which relate to her field of study and deepened her appreciation for Liangping’s agrarian heritage.

The students also sampled Liangping’s pomelos, known for their mildly bitter, tingling flavor and lingering sweetness. Do Van Anh noted that although the pomelo’s slight numbness on the palate was surprising, the experience was “worth it” for such a delicious taste. Beyond fresh pomelo, Liangping has developed over 200 pomelo-based products, including pomelo wine, juice, tea, and candied pomelo, extending the value chain and increasing the industry’s economic impact. Singaporean student Hu Po shared her love for pomelo juice, commenting on the “chewy fruit pulp” that made it especially enjoyable. She added that she appreciated how Liangping brought out the fruit’s versatility through so many unique products.

Through these international connections and diverse experiences, the Liangping Pomelo Expo highlights both the heritage and innovation behind this symbolic fruit, strengthening Liangping’s cultural and agricultural ties with the world.