The cultivation of mulberry trees and silkworms is a long-standing agricultural practice in Gaoqing. 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.

Workers process silkworm cocoons in Gaoqing county, East China's Shandong province, Oct 12, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

This combination photo shows two girls picking mulberries on a family farm in Changjia town of Gaoqing county, East China's Shandong province, May 26, 2018 (above); and workers processing dried mulberries in an agricultural development company in Gaoqing, June 1, 2018 (below). [Photo/Xinhua]

Photo taken on Oct 12, 2018 shows silkworms raised by an agricultural development company in Gaoqing county, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/Xinhua]