Mr. Li Hongwei, CPC secretary and deputy director of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), headed up a 4-person delegation to theSmithsonian Tropical Research Institution (STRI) in Panama during June 10-16. The visit was aimed to seek further and deeper cooperation with STRI.

   Prof. Cao Min, Prof. Zhang Jiaolin and Dr. Chen Yajun had six academic exchange discussions with STRI researchers (including Prof. William Wcislo and Prof. S. Joseph Wright).

   Prof. Cao Min introduced the discipline development of XTBG and reviewed cooperation between XTBG and STRI over the past decades when meeting with Prof. William Wcislo, deputy director for research. He proposed to strengthen cooperation in personnel exchange and scientific experiments between the two sides.

  Mr. Li Hongwei said that XTBG sought to have deeper cooperation with STRI and promote the collaboration to comprehensive and a higher level, while furthering cooperation between science teams.

  XTBG and STRI planned to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) concerning joint projects or funds, scientific research, program application, visiting scholars, graduate training, and postdoc exchanges, etc.  Dr. Zhang Jiaolin will be liaison person at XTBG part.

  Prof. Matthew C. Larsen, director of STRI, is expected to visit XTBG at a proper time.

  During their stay in Panama, XTBG delegation visited the Barro Colorado Island (BCI), STRI's primary site for the study of lowland moist tropical forests.  They visited the 50-ha forest plot, labs, and tower cranes.

 XTBG delegation at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institution

XTBG delegation had discusion and academic exchanges with STRI

 At tower crane plot

STRI experiment facilities

 At 50-ha forest plot within Barro Colorado Island