Recently, a high-level delegation led by Zhang Xingping, Vice President of the Institute of Modern Agriculture at Peking University, and Abid Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of the Punjab Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Pakistan, visited the Shouguang Vegetable Research and Development Center (hereinafter referred to as Shouguang R&D Center) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). The delegation was accompanied by Tiemin Xu, Member of the Leading Party Members' Group of the Shouguang Municipal Government and Deputy Director of the Shouguang R&D Center.

The delegation reviewed Shouguang R&D Center's progress in platform development, talent recruitment and cultivation, and research commercialization. They explored the application of cutting-edge technologies such as vegetable tissue culture, molecular breeding, and trait improvement. Updates were also provided on the breeding of new protected vegetable varieties, the development of biocontrol products, and the R&D of sustainable agricultural equipment. In-depth discussions were held on the classification and introduction of germplasm resources in the vegetable seed bank, their secure preservation, and the scientific exploration and utilization of desirable traits.

The delegation commended Shouguang R&D Center for its innovative practices and notable achievements in seed R&D and intellectual property transformation. Recognizing Shouguang's agricultural development as a repository of proven practical experience, they emphasized the importance of mutual learning and technical exchange. Before concluding the visit, they expressed strong expectations for advancing all-round cooperation and fostering deeper collaborative partnerships.

By Tiemin Xu (xutiemin@caas.cn)