News comes that Prof. Zhou Zhekun, deputy director of XTBG, has been elected as regional representative of China for International Organization of Palaeobotany (IOP). His tenure is 4 years.

The International Organisation of Palaeobotany (IOP) promotes international co-operation in the study of palaeobotany including palaeo-palynology. This is acchieved through the publication of an informative newsletter and organisation of international conferences focussing on all aspects of palaeobotany. Organisational activities include collaboration with other international organisations to ensure the continued development of palaoebotany as a scientific discipline.