The seawater rice planting festival kicked off on May 22 in Qingdao, Shandong province.

Also known as saline-alkali tolerant rice, seawater rice is designed to grow in tidal flats or other areas with heavy salt content and has been developed by plant-breeding experts through crossbreeding and other technologies.

Staff members plant seawater rice in the Qingdao Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice Research and Development Center's experimental fields on May 22. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Visitors attend the seawater rice planting event, where flowers are being spontaneously donated in commemoration of the late agronomist Yuan Longping, who developed seawater rice and was recognized as the "father of hybrid rice".

People plant seawater rice at the experimental fields in Chengyang district, Qingdao on May 22. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Flowers are offered by visitors to honor Yuan Longping, a renowned scientist who made significant contributions to boosting food security, poverty eradication, and overall social development. [Photo/Dazhong News]

The seawater rice planting event attracts many participants from the general public in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/Dazhong News]

The Qingdao Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice Research and Development Center aims to use molecular breeding technologies to develop salt-resistant rice strains that can be widely planted on saline-alkali land in places with different climates. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Experts say salt-resistant rice has unique nutritional advantages that may bring potential health benefits. [Photo/Dazhong News]