Speech on 50th Anniversary Ceremony of XTBG By Dao Linying, Governor of Xishuangbanna Autonomous Prefecture Jan.1, 2009

Updated: 2009-07-10 14:19

The New Year is beginning and spring returns to the earth. On this special day, it comes the 50th anniversary of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

I’m thankful for the invitation to speak here today. This is indeed a joyous occasion for us to celebrate the 50th birthday of XTBG.

Since its establishment in 1959, XTBG has kept marching forward regardless of hardships, striving for success tenaciously. With considerable progress made, XTBG has become an important botanical garden both nationally and internationally.

In recognition of achievements in basic scientific research, XTBG has been awarded many prizes by CAS and Yunnan Province. A large number of research observations have been published in such internationally top journals as Nature and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA, etc., contributing significantly to Science & Technology progress and regional biodiversity conservation.

Under the joint support by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Provincial Government, XTBG has collected over 11,000 plant species from home and abroad, set up 35 living collections, Herbarium, Seed Bank, laboratories, and other scientific facilities. Moreover, XTBG has carried out research on and development of hundreds of economic plant resources, including medicinal plants, beverages, pigments, flavors, timbers, oil plants, and so on. The achievements in biological resource conservation and basic application research have laid a basis for the utilization and industrialization of economic plants in Xishuangbanna.

XTBG plays an important role in popularizing knowledge of biodiversity and environment. To better the public’s understandings, XTBG has reconstructed some sections and established the Tropical Rainforest Ethnic Culture Museum. Over the past years, XTBG has been designated as “National-level Education Base for Science”, “National Science and Technology Education Base for Adolescents”, and “National Patriotism Education Base”. Furthermore, XTBG has organized several exhibitions with local governments and departments in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, displaying ethnic cultures and popularizing knowledge on conservation.

Implementing the strategy of developing tourism industry in Yunnan Province, XTBG offers eco-tourism. Coming out of the ivory tower and into the real world, XTBG is open to the public with such roles as “National Demonstration Scenic Spot for Tourism” and “National Top-Level Tourist Scenic Spot”, receiving 600,000 visitors annually. As a pioneering scenic area, XTBG has made great contributions to the boom of tourism industry and social development in Xishuangbanna.

To follow the call of boosting social and economic development of regions along the land borderline, XTBG has contributed to poverty alleviation by setting up joint Poverty Alleviation Fund and providing Science & Technology support. Capital and human resources, and science knowledge have been input to support local development. Since 2005, XTBG has earmarked 600 thousand Yuan RMB annually to help the people in Mengla county to shake off poverty and attain prosperity.

After 50 years of development, XTBG has become a comprehensive botanical garden engaged in scientific research, plant germplasm preservation and public science education. It boasts an international reputation. Looking ahead to the future, XTBG is to accomplish the construction of new scientific research center, and open larger areas to the public.

In conclusion, I congratulate XTBG on its enormous contributions to Xishuangbanna over the past decades. I wish the goal of XTBG becoming a world first-class botanical garden realized at an earlier date.

I am confident you will continue to rise to the challenges.

Congratulations on the last 50 years! My best wishes for the next 50 years.

Thank you!

Editor: Xie Fang