Zhejiang Agricultural Green Development Conference & Huangyan Citrus Tourism Festival opens in Huangyan, a county-level city of Taizhou in East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

Huangyan is believed to be the birthplace of mandarin oranges around the world, as per the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Chen Shanchun, head of the Citrus Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, announced on Nov 8 that mandarin oranges are believed to have originated in Huangyan, a county-level city in East China's Zhejiang province, according to recent research findings.

The announcement was made by Chen while addressing the Zhejiang Agricultural Green Development Conference& Huangyan Citrus Tourism Festival, which recently opened in Huangyan.

Huangyan has been growing citrus fruits for more than 1,700 years, as early as the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD), and the fruits were used as tribute to the court during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

When people hear the name Huangyan, the first thing that comes to mind is mandarin oranges, which have become a trademark of the city.

In early autumn, the succulent delicacies are popular for their fragrant scent and sweet and sour juice.