US, China botanists sign landmark proposal on cooperation, global issues and projects

The Botanical Society of China and the Botanical Society of America have signed a landmark cooperation proposal to strengthen ties and foster an open scientific community, focusing on global issues and projects. The joint initiative was announced during a Sino-American botany conference held in Taian, Shandong province, China, from September 19 to 23, which brought together hundreds of experts from both countries.

The conference aimed to deepen botanical exchange and cooperation, addressing topics such as conservation, plant biotechnology, climate change, and an international plant megaproject. Both societies emphasized the critical role of plant science in addressing global ecological issues, particularly in the face of intensifying climate change, and highlighted the importance of open academic interchange for promoting cross-border collaboration, talent flow, and data and methodology sharing.

The botany and plant science communities have maintained cooperation despite recent geopolitical tensions and anti-China initiatives, with historical examples dating back to President Nixon's 1972 visit and the 1978 American botanical society delegation to China.

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