For the implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Corridor Initiative (BCI) in GMS countries, and to explore cooperation partners, Prof. Dr. Chen Jin, director of XTBG, left Kunming for Vietnam and Laos for a 10-day visit on December 23, 2005, heading up a 4-person delegation.

    During their stay in Vietnam, the delegation visited Pumat National Park, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources subordinate to VAST and the Forest Protection Bureau at Dien Bien Phu of northeastern Vietnam. While in Laos, the delegation visited National University of Laos (NUOL) and National Agriculture and Forestry Research Insititute (NAFRI). Wherever they went, the delegation were warmly welcomed. They were invited to look around the corresponding national parks, herbaria, nature reserves and arboretums for rare and endangered trees.

   Prof. Chen Jin gave an overview of XTBG and introduced the significance of joint research on the “Greater Green Triangle” biodiversity conservation corridors, discussed primary plans on multi-lateral cooperation with relevant leaders. Cooperation intents have been reached and biodiversity conservation corridors are to be established within the regions of “Mengla(Yunnan) – Phongsali (Laos)-Dien Bien Phu (VietNam)". Meanwhile, cooperation on personnel training, the construction of herbaria and botanical gardens will be promoted.

Two MoUs were signed during the visit. The visit is good to enhance mutual understandings with research institutes of neighboring countries and sets a base for the long-term development prospect of XTBG.