STORY: Canadian expat visits Spring Festival flower market in China's Guangzhou
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 7, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 14, 2024
LENGTH: 0:03:06
LOCATION: GUANGZHOU, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP 1 (English): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): Miss Xiguan
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): Miss Xiguan
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
6. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
7. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): Miss Xiguan,
8. SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
9. SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): Miss Xiguan
10. SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
11. SOUNDBITE 10 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
12. SOUNDBITE 11 (Chinese): Local resident
13. SOUNDBITE 12 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
14. SOUNDBITE 13 (Chinese): Local resident
15. SOUNDBITE 14 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
16. SOUNDBITE 15 (Chinese): Local resident
17. SOUNDBITE 16 (Chinese): Local vendor
18. STANDUP 3 (English): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou

STORYLINE:

STANDUP 1 (English): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"Hey, it's Joshua. And today we're in the bowels of old Guangzhou at Liwan Lake. Now you all know that at the Spring Festival, we need to buy lots of flowers. So today, instead of the other traditional flower markets, we're gonna check out a floating flower market. Follow me."

At the Waterborne Flower Market, an enchanting spectacle awaits as "Xiguan Misses" dressed in festive attire embark on 12 specially crafted flower boats

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): Miss Xiguan
"Now we are at Liwan Waterborne Flower Market. The flower market first appeared in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The most popular one for the Spring Festival is the butterfly orchid. It symbolizes happiness and harmony. If you want a flower symbolizing good health... Do you see this yellow flower? This yellow flower is called the longevity flower."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"I'll keep this flower symbolizing good health, and I'll give you this flower of prosperity."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): Miss Xiguan
"Wow, thank you. It looks very nice, cheers."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"Do you want this one? Very nice. We also sell butterfly orchids. Are you ready? I'll pass it on to you. Bye-bye."

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"How are my selling skills?"

SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): Miss Xiguan
"I think you did a great job. I think you're more professional than us."

SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"No way. You taught me about the meanings of those flowers so that I can tell customers what flowers they should buy during the Spring Festival."

SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): Miss Xiguan
"Are you happy about selling flowers today?"

SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"Of course."

STANDUP 2 (English): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"As per the recommendation of the young lady at Liwan Lake. We're now here at the Liwan Flower Market on Liwan Road. And despite the cool weather, this place is bustling."

SOUNDBITE 10 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"Excuse me. Isn't this supposed to be a flower market? But these seem to be vegetables."

SOUNDBITE 11 (Chinese): Local resident
"Right, these are vegetables. This is green onion."

SOUNDBITE 12 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"Green onion, celery, and lettuce."

SOUNDBITE 13 (Chinese): Local resident
"Green onion represents cleverness. Celery represents diligence, and it symbolizes prosperity."

SOUNDBITE 14 (Chinese): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"Got it. Thank you for helping me understand. Wish you happiness and prosperity."

SOUNDBITE 15 (Chinese): Local resident
"You're welcome. Happy New Year."

SOUNDBITE 16 (Chinese): Local vendor
"This is the Chinese God of Wealth. The couplets written here are to bless us with good health, great wealth, and family safety. Holding it while strolling through the flower market can bring you great fortune."

STANDUP 3 (English): JOSHUA, Canadian expat in Guangzhou
"There you have it. Another completely different Spring Festival, flower market experience. And today we learned about which flowers we should buy, including onions and lettuce. So I hope you all learn something like I did, and we wish you all a happy Spring Festival and health and good fortune in the new year."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Guangzhou, China.
(XHTV)