Li Xiaojun introduces a bonsai product on his livestream. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Li Xiaojun and his wife, both masters of bonsai in Rugao, brought in nearly 200,000 yuan a month by selling bonsai on a livestream channel amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19).

Li has been busy since the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

"Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, people were stranded at home and killed a lot of time online," he explained.

Li started selling bonsai on a livestream website last year. The number of his followers surpassed 10,000 just six months after he set up the online business. So far, he has expanded the market from Jiangsu province to the entire country.

"I usually choose the express giant SF Express to deliver my goods," Li said. "If the client bought a large amount at one time, I often delivered the goods in person to ensure safety and efficiency."

During their spare time, the couple recorded videos on how to produce bonsai, which have proved popular online. They also helped their neighbors sell bonsai products.

The local government has worked to promote bonsai sales online, and a community livestream center is under construction.

"The livestream center is expected to help local farmers sell flowers and trees during the outbreak. It will also be a good window to promote the local bonsai industry to the outside world," said Zhu Songhui, a local official.