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"Cathay", the new strain of tulip christened by Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping during their visit to the Netherlands in March, arrived in China on April 22, to highlight the 5th Beijing Tulip Festival, at the Beijing International Flower Port. This was the first time the Chinese public has been able to view the new tulip strain.

"The Cathay tulip has not yet entered the Chinese market," says Dutch florist Jan-Karel Apeldoorn. "But soon it will be available for customers in China."

Apeldoorn says they want to make Cathay an exclusive product, which means there will be a limited number of Cathay available and the price will be higher than regular tulips.

His company sells 25 kinds of tulip and has cultivated three new strains, including Cathay.

Apeldoorn says the Cathay has now become his favorite tulip and he has high expectations for this special flower, which was blessed and named by China's first lady.

Unlike Chinese roses and chrysanthemums, tulips are new in China, according to Jiang Yong, a florist based in Beijing and Apeldoorn's business partner. She hopes the christening will give more Chinese an education in tulips and tulip culture through Cathay, and present great business opportunities.