A program called “Light in Western China” has been initiated in 1996 by CAS for training talented people in the current campaign for the social and economic development in the region. Another two XTBG staff have been ratified to be funded by the program.

  Associate Prof. Yang Xiaodong’s research activities on Pontoscolex corethrurus  and Yang Qing’s research activities on Jatropha curcas L. will be funded 200,000 yuan and 150,000 yuan respectively by the CAS “Light in Western China” program.

   Since 1997, 12 XTBG staff  have been funded by the program. With the support of the Program, a number of encouraging results have been attained.