Prof. Sithong Thongmanivong, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry at the National University of Laos, headed up a 4-person delegation to Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) from October 28-31. The two sides discussed cooperation regarding tropical forest ecological monitoring, plant diversity research, and talent cultivation.

Prof. Zhang Jiaolin, CPC Secretary and deputy director of XTBG, reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation in joint botanical expeditions, renovation of the Faculty of Forestry's herbarium, and publication of A Checklist of Vascular Plants in Laos. He said XTBG is willing to further strengthen collaboration with Lao partner in forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, and talent cultivation.

Afterwards, Prof. Fan Zexin of XTBG and Prof. Somvilay Chanthalounnavong from the Faculty of Forestry presented overviews of their respective research and cooperation activities. After listening to an introduction of the Lao Tree Growth and Forest Resilience Monitoring Platform (Laos-TreeNet) project，the two sides exchanged views on the layout of monitoring sites, equipment installation and maintenance, data sharing, joint research, and personnel training. They also discussed the construction of large forest dynamics plots as well as cooperation directions related to local livelihoods.

The two sides signed a cooperation agreement on the Laos-TreeNet research project. Under the plan, they will jointly build the monitoring platform in Laos, using continuous observations of tree radial growth, canopy phenology, and microclimate to study the responses of tropical forests to climate change, etc.

The Lao delegation toured the Dipterocarp Garden, the artificial rainforest, and the balsa plantation to learn about the tree growth and sap flow monitoring experimental platforms. They also visited other research facilities like the canopy crane plot in Bubeng, learning about construction of field research platforms and long-term monitoring work at the Bubeng field station.

The two sides sign cooperation agreement.

At Bubeng canopy crane plot. 

Participants pose a group photo.