XTBG has recently made a formal agreement with Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (QSBG) on herbaria specimen exchange. The program is aimed to promote sharing of natural resources and scientific data between China and Thailand and further collaborate in plant diversity conservation. According to the Agreement, 10,000 sheets of mounted specimens will be exchanged between the two sides in the future. Afterwards, the Agreement may be renewed if necessary.

XTBG has recently made a formal agreement with Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (QSBG) on herbaria specimen exchange. The program is aimed to promote sharing of natural resources and scientific data between China and Thailand and further collaborate in plant diversity conservation. According to the Agreement, 10,000 sheets of mounted specimens will be exchanged between the two sides in the future. Afterwards, the Agreement may be renewed if necessary.

During February 12 and 15, a 4-person delegation from US and Canada universities paid a visit to XTBG. The delegation was composed of Dr. Qiu Yinlong from University of Michigan, Dr. James Alan Doyle from University of California, Dr. Andrea Dayle Wolfe from Ohio State University and Dr. Sean Warren Graham from University of British Columbia.

The research project named “Impact of rubber plantation on temperature sensitivities of soil respiration in tropics” has been recently granted by Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN). With Prof. Dr. Zou Xiaoming of XTBG as chief researcher, the project has been officially launched since January 1, 2009, in collaboration with National University of Laos and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST).

The research project named “Impact of rubber plantation on temperature sensitivities of soil respiration in tropics” has been recently granted by Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN). With Prof. Dr. Zou Xiaoming of XTBG as chief researcher, the project has been officially launched since January 1, 2009, in collaboration with National University of Laos and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST).

On the occasion of visiting XTBG, Prof. Jerry Baskin from University of Kentucky has been recently conferred on an Adjunct Professorship Appointment Letter by XTBG.

Dr. Bounhong Southavong, director of the Traditional Medicine Research Center (TMRC), Ministry of Health, LAOS, started a 5-day visit to XTBG on January 12, at the invitation of Prof. Dr. Cao Min, deputy director of XTBG. The two sides signed a scientific cooperation agreement.

As one of the celebrations for the 50th founding anniversary of XTBG, XTBG held an international expert consulting meeting on January 3, bringing together 14 prestigious scholars from UK, USA, France, Ireland, India, Indonesia, Panama, Australia and 3 experts from the community of Chinese botanical gardens.

Dr. W. John Kress, senior professor of the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, USA, and executive chairman of Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC), paid a week-long visit to XTBG during November 12-17, at the invitation of Prof. Dr. Li Qingjun.

Prof. Dr. Andrew G. Hashimoto, dean and director of College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA, visited XTBG during November 1-3. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the two sides.

During October 23-26, Dr. Thomas Sam Elias, director of the United States National Arboretum (USNA) paid a visit to XTBG, at the invitation of CAS President Lu Yongxiang. XTBG deputy director Li Hongwei met and held talks with the visiting guests.

Dr. Thomas DeLiberto, national wildlife disease coordinator of Animal Plant Health Inspection Service of US Department of Agriculture (USDA), visited XTBG during Oct.3-5. The object of the visit is to survey the situation of water birds and migratory birds in Xishuangbanna.