"The ancient city of water charm passes on a heritage of two thousand years; the high-tech frontier Yandu is surging with the vitality of innovation . In this poetic and vibrant springtime, the 10th International Strawberry Symposium witnesses its grand opening in the Yandu District of Yancheng City. Experts, scholars, and industry elites from around the world gather together to celebrate this wonderful feast of strawberries. This event marks not only a new starting point for the development of Yancheng's strawberry industry but also the deep integration of China's strawberry industry with the international market, a phase of higher quality development.

Today, seven authoritative experts in the field of strawberries from home and abroad, with profound love for Yancheng and high expectations for the industry, share their heartfelt wishes and sincere blessings for the development of modern agriculture in Yancheng with their deep insights and passionate enthusiasm..."

Bruno Mezzetti

Bruno Mezzetti, Chairman of the ISHS Division on Vine and Berries (DVIN) and the 9th International Strawberry Symposium (ISS) held in Italy in 2020.

The strawberry industry plays a vital role in agriculture and is a living example of the mission we strive to promote. Italy, for instance, previously hosted the Strawberry Symposium, which proved to be an excellent platform for sharing knowledge and advancing the strawberry industry. Strawberries, this small yet vibrant red fruit, not only symbolize sweetness but also epitomize global agricultural innovation and sustainable development. Thanks to technological advancements, ecological farming practices, and the continued expansion of the supply chain, strawberries are now more than just a source of income for farmers. They provide a dual benefit, offering both health benefits and delightful flavors to consumers worldwide.

Yancheng is a dynamic city with a rich agricultural heritage and abundant natural resources, making it an ideal location for the continued growth of the strawberry industry. I warmly invite you to visit Yancheng during the Symposium for field visits and discussions, where you will have the opportunity to explore the successes and development prospects of Yancheng's strawberry sector. I hope that this event will showcase the unique appeal of strawberries to the global community, allowing more people to learn about Yancheng and Jiangsu.

I sincerely believe that this Symposium can serve as a vital bridge for international cooperation within the global strawberry industry, much like the successful Symposium held in Italy, helping more countries and regions to share in the achievements of the "berry" industry.

Zhang Yuntao

Zhang Yuntao, researcher at Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, serves as the Chairman of the Strawberry Committee, ISHS (International Society for Horticultural Science), the Honorary Chairman of the 6th Council of the Strawberry Branch of the CSHS (Chinese Society for Horticultural Science), and the convener of the 2025 10th International Strawberry Symposium (Yancheng, China).

As an important area for plating strawberries, Yandu District of Yancheng City, has made remarkable achievements in strawberry cultivation, technological innovation, and brand building. The local strawberry industry boasts a large scale, rich varieties, strong technological support, and ongoing expansion of the industrial chain.

The holding of the 10th International Strawberry Symposium has opened a new international journey for Yancheng’s strawberry industry. The symposium will bring cutting-edge international cultivation techniques and management experiences, to help the transformation and upgrading of the local industry. Simultaneously, it will inject new vitality into Yancheng’s modern agriculture and rural revitalization, promoting the in-depth integration of agriculture with tourism and culture, thus advancing Yancheng toward the goal of becoming a demonstration area for modern agriculture and rural revitalization, further enhancing its influence in the global strawberry industry.

After decades of development, China’s strawberry industry has evolved from sporadic cultivation to a major global producer and consumer of strawberries. I will review the inception and development of China’s strawberry industry from the historical perspective, focusing on the achievements in germplasm resource innovation, new variety breeding, cultivation technology breakthroughs, and industrial chain extension in recent years. At the same time, combined with the challenges currently faced by the industry, the development direction of China’s strawberry industry will be discussed.

It is hoped that the results of the symposium can be transformed into actual productivity, giving birth to new breakthroughs in variety innovation, green production, and industrial chain improvement in the global strawberry industry, bringing high-quality strawberries to millions of households.

Zhao Mizhen

Zhao Mizhen, second-grade research fellow and president of the Jiangsu Strawberry Association, works at the Institute of Pomology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Yandu District in Yancheng has showcased exceptional development in modern agriculture, particularly in the strawberry industry. It has established a complete industrial chain that includes seedling breeding, large-scale planting, deep processing, and leisure picking. In terms of the breed of varieties, it has jointly developed high-quality new varieties such as '“Yancheng Strawberry I”' in collaboration with the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Recognized as a national geographical indication trademark, the 'Yandu Strawberry' brand has significant influence, receiving numerous national and provincial awards and making it a part of various lists of quality agricultural products.

The International Strawberry Symposium is an important event in the global strawberry industry, significantly impacting the local strawberry industry, modern agriculture, and rural development in Yancheng. It can enhance industry visibility, establish a unique brand image internationally, and make 'Yandu Strawberry' a highlight in the international strawberry market. It can promote technological exchange and innovation, expanding market channels, and driving industry clustering and upgrading.

As a global event in the strawberry industry, the International Strawberry Symposium is expected to facilitate the sharing of advanced technologies and high-quality varieties, especially the cutting-edge planting techniques and rare varieties. This will foster extensive international cooperation, talent cultivation , the integration of industry, academia, and research, the implementation of the concept of green development, and the comprehensive upgrades in the strawberry industry, injecting strong vitality into the sector."

Peter Melis

Peter Melis, researcher on strawberry, currently working for Research Centre Hoogstraten in Belgium.

My main job is to aid regional strawberry growers with the challenges strawberry cultivation poses. Varieties, fertilization, energy, integrated crop protection, water issues, circular cultivation techniques, innovative technologies,… can all be topic of trials that me and my team execute.

I developed a prognosis of harvest potential based on flower bud research, I uncovered the optimal LED spectrum for strawberry growth together with the light sum needed for high chill junebearers to grow in winter cultivations, I optimized for different varieties the plant production phase with fertilization, tipping dates and other cultivation techniques,

My presentation explains about resources for modern strawberry cultivations and ways to implement a sustainable use of these resources. I will highlight a few trials concerning water use, energy use and peat use as substrate. As always on a symposium I hope to make contact with people that do exciting research that can also be useful for the growers in the world.

Han Yongchao

Han Yongchao, Ph.D., researcher, deputy director, currently engaged in research on strawberry breeding and cultivation technology at the Institute of Economic Crops, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

In recent years, the strawberry industry in Yancheng has developed rapidly. Yandu District has become a major planting area for strawberries. Yancheng has a suitable climate and fertile soil for strawberries. It has cultivated a variety of strawberries, such as 'Hongyan' and 'Zhangji,' known for their excellent taste and high sweetness. When it comes to cultivation techniques, greenhouse cultivation and pollution-free green planting methods are widely adopted to ensure quality and safety. The industrial chain is well-developed, covering multiple links including planting, processing, and sales, and there is a commitment to developing deep-processed products like strawberry jam and strawberry wine.

Yancheng strawberries are not only supplied to the local market but also to cities like Shanghai and Nanjing, with expanded sales through e-commerce platforms. The local government strongly supports the upgrade of the strawberry industry while promoting strawberry-picking tourism, facilitating the integration of agriculture and rural tourism, enhancing rural prosperity and rural revitalization.

At the 10th International Strawberry Symposium, I will share our team's research on anthracnose disease in strawberries. Caused by the anthracnose fungus, this disease is a serious threat, and I hope to exchange and discuss research progress with scholars from both China and abroad at this session to jointly address major key issues in strawberry production.

I believe that the holding of this symposium will play a significant role in promoting Yancheng's local strawberry industry and the image of Yancheng's urban and agricultural development. I wish the symposium a great successful in Yancheng.

Cynthia Falcón

Cynthia Falcón, agronomist engineer, National Agrarian University La Molina in Peru.

My experience in strawberry cultivation began as a grower, working directly in the field and gaining hands-on knowledge of the challenges and opportunities in production.

I have visited key strawberry-producing regions in countries such as the United States, Spain, Chile, and Japan, gaining valuable insights into different cultivation techniques and industry trends.

This will be my first visit to China, and I am eager to learn firsthand about the country’s advancements in modern agriculture. China has made remarkable progress in strawberry production, integrating cutting-edge technology, breeding programs, and sustainable practices. The country's greenhouse technology, hydroponic systems, and postharvest innovations have set a high standard for the global industry.

One of the most impressive aspects of China's strawberry sector is its efficient supply chain and large-scale production, ensuring high-quality fruit reaches both domestic and international markets. Additionally, its investment in research and innovation has significantly contributed to the development of new strawberry varieties adapted to diverse climatic conditions.

I believe that China will continue to play a pivotal role in the future of the strawberry industry, especially in areas such as automation, artificial intelligence in agriculture, and climate- resilient production techniques. These innovations are crucial for addressing global challenges such as climate change and food security. Understanding these advancements will provide valuable insights that can be applied in other regions facing similar challenges, including Peru.

Ma Tingdong

Ma Tingdong, senior agricultural technician, Director of Dandong City Shengye Berry Cooperative, Chairman of Donggang City Strawberry Association.

Since 2003, I have been committed to the cultivation and industrial development of small berries, such as strawberries and blueberries. I invented the super-fast cultivation technology for the Red Strawberries in low temperature and short-day, which has made the products in Donggang City show up in market 1 month in advance.

Yancheng, a large city of Jiangsu Province, has achieved remarkable results in economic and social development, especially in modern agriculture. The advance in strawberry industry can be exemplified by the successful cultivation of “Yancheng Strawberry I”, which has demonstrated strong scientific research and innovation capabilities. From seedling breeding to cultivation management and then to sales, a complete industrial chain has been formed in Yancheng, together with remarkable progress in brand building and market development. The International Strawberry Symposium to be held in Yancheng will surely attract global attention, bring advanced technology and ideas, keeping Yancheng strawberry industry in line with international standards, promoting industrial upgrading, rural revitalization, and increasing the income of farmers.

I am looking forward to attending this great event, and sincerely hope that it will promote technical exchanges and cooperation in the global strawberry industry, and all participants can share their advanced experience and work together to overcome the difficulties in the industrial development. The strawberries industry will make new breakthroughs in many key areas, such as seed selection, planting technology, preservation and transportation, so as to achieve high-quality sustainable development.

编辑：刘志红 赵新立 王心怡