About
Zhang Xiaobao
WBFF Director - China Region
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Zhang Xiaobao (张小宝), born in 1947 in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, is a towering figure in Chinese bonsai art whose life and work embody the essence of Jiangnan culture and the Suzhou tradition of classical garden landscaping. Over more than three decades, he has dedicated himself to the study, refinement, and promotion of bonsai techniques, care, and market development, while also championing the inheritance of traditional Chinese culture. In 2001, he personally designed and established Baoding Garden (宝鼎园), a privately owned sanctuary that now houses over 500 high-quality bonsai works, many of which have won awards both in China and abroad. His leadership roles reflect his influence: Honorary Vice President of the Suzhou Bonsai Association (2008), Director of the Flower, Bonsai and Viewing Stone Branch of the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture (2010), Vice Chairman of the China Regional Committee of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation (2013), Chairman of the Jiangsu Bonsai Association Federation (2016), and International Advisor to the WBFF (2017). He has also contributed to scholarly and cultural projects, such as serving on the editorial committee for Era Heroes · Bonsai Art Volume (2012). Zhang’s international presence is equally significant—he attended the 8th World Bonsai Convention in Saitama, Japan (2017), signed an exchange agreement with the Korea Bonsai Association at the 6th Asia-Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention, and has participated in numerous exhibitions and exchanges across Asia. Through his artistry, leadership, and cultural diplomacy, Zhang Xiaobao has become a vital bridge between Chinese bonsai traditions and the global bonsai community, ensuring that the art continues to flourish across borders.
Our Story
Sino-Japan Bonsai Culture Communication Activity
On 5 November 2016, the first Sino-Japan Bonsai Culture Communication Activity was held in Changshu, Jiangsu.
The agenda included four activities:-
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Jiangsu Bonsai Association Alliance opening ceremony
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The art of Bonsai seminar
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Sino-Japan bonsai exhibition communication
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Bonsai creation show
The president of Japan Bonsai Association and WBFF Mr. Fukuda along with Mr. Kimura who is the most prestigious person in Japan and world bonsai circle, and other eight honoured guests (including 2 translators) participated in this activity.Chinese leaders including Deputy Director of Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture Flower Bonsai Suiseki Branch, national bonsai masters and the vice-president of Jiangsu Bonsai Association Alliance participated in the activity.
Additionally about 150 Chinese and foreign honoured guests participated in it.This activity, with the theme of “no borders for art, mutual communication of bonsai”, aims at providing a pioneering communication platform for the development of Sino-Japan bonsai culture, which is the highest-level of friendly exchange activity between China and Japan until now.
The success of this activity has positive and profound influence on further strengthening the communication and cooperation of Sino-Japan bonsai culture, learning from each other, making the best of the both worlds and mutually developing and promoting Chinese bonsai art and internationalisation of Chinese bonsai.
