The year 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Prof. Cai Xitao, founder of XTBG. As parts of the commemorative events, XTBG held a symposium on sustainable use of plant resources & scholarship of Cai Xitao during March 13-15.

The Symposium brought together more than 100 botanists and students of China to talk about the most recent advances in plant resources use, including plant genetic resources, research and development of natural products, development of energy plants, etc and Prof. Cai Xitao’s various and profound thoughts on botanical studies.

An evening party reflecting Cai Xitao was held on March 14. The party was hosted by Mr. Li Hongwei, CPC secretary of XTBG.

Students reflecting Prof. Cai Xitao

The participants in the Symposium and XTBG students watched a video entitled Remotest Ocean of Greenery. The video took Prof. Cai Xitao and some other botanists of older generations as prototype.

In Remotest Ocean of Greenery, the leading actor, a young botanist, was determined to blaze a trail of his own by defying enormous frustrations and hardships in the old society until his dreams were materialized. He collected many plant specimens in Xishuangbanna. Further achievements were made with the support of the Party and government. As a successful botanist, he was received and praised by the Premier Zhou Enlai.