The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) will work more closely with Thailand to collaborate on biodiversity research, academic exchanges and ecosystem management, according to a recent report.

The news was released at the opening ceremony of the CAS Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute (CAS-SEABRI) office in Thailand on July 24.

The plaque unveiling ceremony of the SEABRI Program Office in Thailand was held at Kasetsart University with the participation of representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, the Thai Embassy in China, the CAS Bureau of International Cooperation, Kasetsart University, and the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG).

Dr. Kobsak Wanthongchai, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, and Mr. WANG Zhenyu, Deputy Director of the CAS Bureau of International Cooperation, jointly unveiled the plaque.

"The SEABRI Program Office in Thailand is a platform for further cooperation in scientific research, capacity building and personnel training between CAS and Kasetsart University," said WANG Zhenyu.

Afterwards, researchers from XTBG and Kasetsart University discussed the details of the cooperation. The two sides will join hands to contribute to biodiversity research and personnel training.

"With the platform and our joint efforts, both SEABRI and Kasetsart University will contribute more to regional biodiversity conservation and research in China and Thailand," said Prof. YANG Yongping, Director of XTBG and SEABRI.

The opening of the SEABRI office in Thailand is a result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) and Kasetsart University in 2023.