Innovation, research encouraged to develop sustainable mulberry-related industry in China's Shandong

Photo taken on Oct. 12, 2018 shows silkworms raised by an agricultural development company in Gaoqing County, east China's Shandong Province. The cultivation of mulberry trees and silkworms is a long-standing agricultural practice in Gaoqing County. In addition to a market-oriented business strategy, the local authorities encourages innovation and research to develop a green and sustainable mulberry-related industry, which not only produces mulberry leaves, but also turns out silk fabrics, mulberry leaf tea, mulberry alcohol, dried mulberry fruits and other derivative products. (Xinhua/Zhang Weitang)