WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2004 - Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman this morning signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Yang Jiechi, ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States, for the construction of a classical Chinese garden at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.

"This Chinese garden will be a wonderful addition to the world-class display gardens already at the Arboretum," Veneman said. "The new garden will deepen the American people's understanding of Chinese garden culture, and provide research opportunities to study Chinese plants and flowers. Upon completion this will be the finest Chinese garden outside of China."

The MOU is between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State Forestry Administration of the People's Republic of China, which will cooperatively construct the garden as a gift from the Chinese people to the American people. The Chinese partner will donate all main structures, rockeries, furniture, and art objects. It will stand as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.

The 8-12-acre Jiangnan-style garden will be based on a conceptual original design developed by a joint team of designers from China and the United States. While the details are still being developed, one area of the garden will include a small pond and traditional Chinese buildings with Ming and Ching-style hardwood furniture, calligraphy and painting scrolls on the walls, and a traditional boat house adjacent to a 1.3-acre lake.

A second area will include a two-story teahouse style structure that will be used as an exhibition hall. The third area will comprise a Peony Pavilion overlooking the garden; and a Fragrance Pavilion, which will also house authentic Chinese goldfish. The fourth area will be a Whispering Pavilion, which will include a Chinese white pagoda.

The U.S. National Arboretum covers 446 acres in northeast Washington, D.C. It was established by an act of Congress in 1927 to conduct research, provide education, and conserve and display trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants to enhance the environment.

The Agricultural Research Service operates the U.S. National Arboretum. For more information about the arboretum, visit http://www.usna.usda.gov.

Scientific contact: Thomas S. Elias, Director, U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C., phone (202) 245-4539, fax (202) 245-4574, eliast@ars.usda.gov.