XTBG advances plant biodiversity cooperation with Laos
Prof. Xing Yaowu, director of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), headed up a delegation to Laos from February 2 to 6. The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation with Lao partners in ecological restoration, capacity building, and the implementation of the Flora of Laos project.
On February 3, XTBG delegation held talks with the Biotechnology and Ecology Institute (BEI) of Lao PDR to discuss the 2026 cooperation plan. Taking XTBG’s extensive experience in ecological restoration into advantage, XTBG will provide training for BEI staff on flagship species propagation and ecological restoration techniques. They plan to jointly establish nursery and living collections for rare and endangered plants.
The delegation visited the National University of Laos to inspect the renovated herbarium of the Faculty of Forestry, a project funded by XTBG. The upgraded facility covers approximately 500 square meters and is fully functional, significantly enhancing the capacity for specimen preservation, joint identification, and academic exchange.
Both parties then held a working meeting to clarify implementation plans, task division, and timelines for follow-up projects, committing to drive more phased and substantive outcomes through continued collaboration.
During the visit, XTBG researchers also conducted field surveys along the route from Vientiane to Bolikhamxay Province, observing main vegetation types and forest conditions in protected areas.
Meeting withFaculty of Forestry ofthe National University of Laos.
The herbarium before and after renovation.
Field investigation.
