A scientific seminar for 50th anniversary of the Sino-French diplomatic relationships was held in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) during July 24-25. The seminar was supported by the scientific department of the French Embassy in China. Prof. Chen Jin of XTBG was chair of the seminar.

The theme of the seminar was: Impact of climatic change on biodiversity: Yunnan biodiversity hotspot. The program included 8 presentations by French scientists (including 4 working in XTBG) and around 10 presentations by Chinese scientists. Such renowned scientists as Prof. Finn Kjellberg and Prof. Sovanmoly Hul made presentations at the seminar.

XTBG director Chen Jin and Mr. Norbert Paluch, science and technology counselor of French Embassy to China, delivered opening speeches respectively.

After presentations and communication, the participants discussed future collaborations.

Background

French scientists have long recognized the importance of Yunnan biodiversity.The French missionary and botanist Jean Marie Delavay collected many new plant species in Yunnan and sent them to the Museum of Natural History in Paris, where most of them were described by Planchet. Madeleine Colani, following the construction of the Yunnan-Vietnam railroad, described many sites of fossil plants in Yunnan. With the regain of interest for biodiversity conservation, several French biologists work now in Yunnan.

Presentations

Participants pose a group photo