A team, including representatives from the Foreign Affairs office of Luoyang, arrived with a truck load of mature peonies and helped plant them in the spacious garden of the Embassy. Even the soil for the plants came from Luoyang. The peony is the most popular flower of China. When in bloom, peonies present a soothingly beautiful sight.

The newly planted peony garden was symbolically handed over to the Ambassador and the staff of the Embassy on 20 October 2021 during a simple event held at the Embassy Garden.

Accepting the gift Ambassador Dr. Kohona said that "Just as the peonies will bloom next spring, and for many springs to come, the warm friendship between the people of the two countries, especially with the people of Luoyang, will continue to blossom".

Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Luoyang Municipal People’s Government Bai Zhibin said in response that they would welcome Sri Lankan businesses getting involved in beautiful Luoyang for business and investment purposes.