BCI Chairman Chen Chang visits Jiangmen for investigation and research
By Guangzhou Baowen Gardens · May 28, 2026
On the 19th day of the first lunar month in the Bingwu Year of the Horse, spring was radiant, kapok flowers were in full bloom in Lingnan, and the hometown of overseas Chinese, Jiangmen, was brimming with vitality and elegance. Chen Chang, President of Bonsai Clubs International (BCI), led a team on a special visit to Jiangmen to investigate and research the development of the local bonsai industry. They conducted in-depth visits to bonsai creation bases, fine bonsai gardens, and artists' studios, comprehensively assessing the artistic characteristics, industrial scale, and development path of Jiangmen bonsai. Led by Jiangmen bonsai master Chen Wanjun, local powerhouse bonsai artists including Yuan Qirui, Chen Baihe, Chen Yingkai, Huang Shaoming, Huang Helun, Lin Yongsen, Feng Zhiheng, Liao Guosheng, and Ye Xiaofeng gathered to participate, jointly showcasing the backbone and creative vitality of the Jiangmen bonsai community.
Jiangmen bonsai is an important branch of Lingnan bonsai, rooted in the cultural soil of the hometown of overseas Chinese, relying on the local mild climate and rich tree species resources to form distinct regional characteristics. Using Ficus virens, Acacia, Ficus microcarpa, Bougainvillea, and Sageretia theezans as core creative materials, they adhere to the core concepts of trunk chopping and branch cultivation, and creating pots according to the tree. They deeply integrate traditional horticultural techniques with artistic composition, calligraphic artistic conception, and modern aesthetics. The works are vigorous and ancient, full of vitality and profound artistic conception, preserving the soul of Lingnan bonsai while pioneering the trend of contemporary innovation. Jiangmen bonsai artists, with solid skills and a rigorous attitude, deeply cultivate fine works, emphasize teamwork and industry co-construction, and actively promote skill inheritance, talent cultivation, and market expansion. They are highly recognizable in the domestic bonsai circle and have become an important benchmark for the high-quality development of Lingnan bonsai.
During the inspection, President Chen Chang and his delegation visited several representative Jiangmen bonsai gardens and artists' creative spaces, observing hundreds of fine bonsai works on site. The masterpieces in the gardens were either majestic and grand or exquisite and delicate, with each tree and each pot fully demonstrating the craftsmanship and innovative expression of Jiangmen bonsai, causing the delegation to frequently pause and be impressed. President Chen Chang highly praised and fully affirmed Jiangmen bonsai, pointing out: Jiangmen bonsai has distinct characteristics and is unconventional; Jiangmen bonsai artists solidly create fine works, wholeheartedly pursue innovation, promote harmony through exchange and integration, and go global in unity. Their practical spirit is admirable. Jiangmen bonsai artists, based on local high-quality tree species and integrating creative designs from fine arts and calligraphy, are an outstanding group of artists in China who can systematically propose and practice the concept of 'creating pots according to the tree.' They possess both artistic standards and industrial potential, with broad development prospects.
During this inspection and exchange, BCI China Vice President and part-time Vice Chairwoman of the Guangdong Women's Federation Chen Zhaonian, BCI China Secretary-General Xu Dongting, bonsai masters Luo Zhijie and Li Wencai, as well as senior technicians from Baowen Garden Guo Shaobo, Xu Xiping, and Zhong Zhiyong accompanied the entire process. The delegation and Jiangmen bonsai artists engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as skill inheritance, variety innovation, industrial upgrading, international dissemination, and cultural tourism integration, sharing international bonsai development trends and advanced experiences, and exploring implementation paths for Jiangmen bonsai to go national and global.
This BCI President-led delegation's inspection of Jiangmen bonsai is not only an authoritative recognition of Jiangmen bonsai's artistic achievements and industrial foundation, but also an important opportunity for Jiangmen bonsai to connect with international platforms and enhance brand influence. In the future, BCI China will strengthen the exploration of practical empowerment paths for top international bonsai organizations, promote the concentrated appearance of local master groups on domestic and international stages and the comprehensive display of masterpieces; assist local bonsai in strengthening artistic identity, improving the industrial chain, broadening international perspectives, and promoting the deep integration of regional culture and bonsai art. With the small bonsai industry, it will leverage the grand narrative of green ecology and rural revitalization, injecting momentum into the international dissemination and high-quality development of Chinese bonsai.
