During September 3 and 12, Dr. Chen Jin headed up a 4-person delegation to USA on invitation. The XTBG delegation had academic visits and signed cooperation agreements with University of Florida and Florida International University respectively.

The XTBG delegation included Profs. Chen Jin, Cao Kunfang, Gao Jiangyun and Zhang Ling.

The XTBG delegation visited International Center of University of Florida, Natural History Museum, and Butterfly Conservatory. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between University of Florida and Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG). On behalf of the two sides, Dr. David Sammons and Dr. Chen Jin signed the agreement respectively. The MoU focused on the possible development of projects of mutual interest in tropical biology, conservation biology, and environmental education.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between Florida International University and XTBG. The authorized signatory of the two sides were Dr. Mark Rosenberg and Dr. Chen Jin respectively. The MoU focused on tropical botany and conservation.

Both of the two MoUs take effect since September 2012 and the term is 5 years.

At the University of Florida, Prof. Chen Jin delivered a lecture entitled “Integrative Conservation in Southwest China’s Biodiversity Hotspot: Past Efforts and Future Perspective”.

At the Florida International University, Prof. Cao Kunfang delivered a lecture entitled “Correlation of Plant Hydraulic Traits with Plant Physiology”.

During their stay in the USA, the XTBG delegation visited University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). They met with Profs. Victoria Sork and Lawren Sack.

They also visited University of Miami, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and Montgomery Botanical Center.

Dr. Chen Jin and Dr.Mark B. Rosenberg of FIU signed the MoU

At the Huntington Botanical Gardens at Los Angeles

Visit the Soltis Lab

UF Provost Dr. Joseph Glover(middle) meets XTBG delegation