Chinese running largest nurseries in Angola's capital

Owning the largest nurseries in Luanda, capital of Angola, Chinese entrepreneur Zheng Li, hopes to make the city look greener.

Decades of civil conflicts that ended in 2002 uprooted plants in most part of the capital city, leaving it dust covered.

In recent years, the government spent millions of U.S. dollars planting palms, coconut trees and grass along the coastal avenue in downtown Luanda, which now has taken on a new look.

"It would be great if the rest of the city looks like the coastal avenue of downtown Luanda," said 45-year-old Zheng.

"And now greening and afforestation figured high on the agenda of the Angolan government," he added.

One of his nurseries dubbed Dingli, lying in southern Luanda, also serves as an exhibition of the plants his company cultivated, including palms, coconut trees, Chinese roses and various indoor flowers and plants.

Zheng invested over 5 million U.S. dollars in the past five years, employing over 50 Angolans to take care of the trees and flowers.

"Green plants indicate hope and vitality, we hope to make Luanda greener with our trees, grass and flowers," Zheng said.

So far, his company has introduced Chinese flowers, bamboos to Angola which are selling well.

"Local people love large and blossoming flowers, and so Chinese roses are particularly popular here in Luanda", he said. Endit