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

A worker prepares fresh mulberry leaves in a workshop that makes mulberry leaf tea in Gaoqing County, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 12, 2018. 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)