Prof. Lu Yongxiang, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), together with other officials of Yunnan province and Xishuangbanna, paid an inspection tour to XTBG on June 18.

Looking around the Flower Garden, Palm Collection, and other living collections, Prof. Lu Yongxiang spoke highly of the landscape optimization of XTBG over the past five years. He found that the memorial Dracaena tree he planted in the Commemorative Plant Garden in 1999 has become luxuriantly green.

At the cultivation base of Inca Peanut (Plukenetia volubilis) and physic nut tree (Jatropha curcasL.), Prof. Xu Zengfu introduced the introduction and variety improvement of the two oil plants.

Prof. Lu Yongxiang subsequently visited the new scientific research center. Some relevant professionals introduced their scientific research work and progress. While listening to the reports, Lu talked with research staff cordially and asked questions or gave useful guidance.

During the inspection, Prof. Lu Yongxiang also held talks with administrative leaders and some research professors, including Mr. Li Hongwei, Prof. Cao Min, Prof. Li Qingjun, Prof. Zhou Zhekun, Prof. Xu Zaifu, etc.

Prof. Chen Jin, director of XTBG, made a brief report concerning XTBG's development since the Phase III of Innovation Project, including the progress of scientific research, regional biodiversity conservation, and infrastructure construction. He also talked about the 12th five-year plan of XTBG.

Lu Yongxiang gave a high appraisal to good performances of XTBG over the past years. He also showed confidence for the future development of XTBG. He urged the scientists here to do more work in the application of botany, resource plant development, and biodiversity conservation. He encouraged XTBG to conduct seed exchange with Latin America, Southeastern Asian, and African countries, and have joint research programs.

Accompanying the visit were Mr. Yang Baojian, vice chairman of the People’s Congress of Yunnan Province, Mr. Jiang Pusheng, CPC Secretary of Xishuangbanna, Prof. Zhang Zhibing, director of CAS Bureau of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Prof. Wang Qingli, president of CAS Kunming Branch, etc.