Orchid grower cultivates cross-Strait community

High in the mountains of Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province, Peking University finance graduate Liao Yi-ting is blending heritage with high tech to grow an orchid empire and create a thriving future for over 80 local women along the way.

While most entrepreneurs from Taiwan head to the mainland's coastal hubs, Liao chose the southwestern hinterland in 2023. Drawn by Xichang's ideal climate and expanding logistics networks, she established an integrated agricultural company spanning orchid research, production and sales.