Chen Donghai (left), a deputy to the National People's Congress from Fujian province and Party secretary of Xishan village of Yongfu township in Zhangping city, inspects a flower plantation. [Photo by Zeng Jiaqiang/For chinadaily.com.cn]

After being selected as the deputy, Chen felt a great sense of responsibility and began brainstorming ways to develop the flower industry.

"We plan to build an azalea flower valley to create a distinctive flower distribution center combining Yongfu's cherry blossoms and tea gardens," he said. "The integration of the tertiary industry will attract more tourism resources and accelerate the cultivation of new business formats."

Due to its latitude, climate, and similarity to Ali Mountain in Taiwan, Yongfu has attracted three generations of farmers from Taiwan since the late 1990s.