Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong was on an inspection trip in southeast China’s Yunnan Province in December. She stressed that social causes such as education and healthcare should be pursued to promote development and long-term peace and stability in ethnic border areas. During her trip in Yunnan, Vice Premier Liu Yandong paid an inspection tour to Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) on December 11, accompanied by CAS President Bai Chunli and local officials of Yunnan.

   XTBG director Chen Jin reported the work concerning plant diversity conservation, species protection, development and utilization of plant resources, and public education. He also reported the work of Chinese Union of Botanic Gardens (CUBG), contributing to development of botanical gardens nationwide.

  The vice premier met XTBG researchers and student representatives. She spoke highly of the development and application of medicinal plants (e.g. Dai medicine) and contribution to local development. She emphasized the significance of ecological civilization and encouraged XTBG to play a bigger role.

  She encouraged XTBG researchers to shoot frontiers of science and technology and make more achievements in tropical plants and ecological studies. She emphasized the significance of combining independent research with industrial application, encouraging XTBG to study Dai medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and explore precious plant resources. She also talked about the significance of international cooperation and talent cultivation. She wished XTBG to be a first-class botanical garden in the world by 2020.

  The vice premier toured some living collections like Flower Garden, Palm Garden, Distinctive Plant Collection, Aquatic Garden, and Energy Plant Collection. She also visited the Central Laboratory, learning about large apparatus and equipment.

Vice Premier Liu Yandong poses a photo with XTBG researchers and student representatives

Liu Yandong inspects the Central Laboratory

Learning about dancing grass