A team from one of the world's leading botanic gardens, the Kew Gardens in London, has just visited the Chengdu Botanic Garden in southwest China, pledging further cooperation.
It was led by the Kew Gardens director, Richard Deverell, who first visited Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, 36 years ago.
The Chengdu Botanic Garden has collected more than 5,000 species of living plants. The comprehensive botanical garden integrates species conservation, scientific research and tourism services. With rich species diversity, Sichuan Province has been considered the origin and evolution base of plateau species.
Sichuan is home to over 14,000 species of higher plants, accounting for one third of the total across China. In Chengdu, there are more than 4,000 species.
Botanical gardens play a pivotal role in preserving plants in critical danger and contribute to biodiversity. China and the UK have come a long way in these efforts.
Richard Deverell was impressed by the diversity of the region when he visited Chengdu 36 years ago. This time, he found differences and commonalities.
He said it's warmer in Chengdu than in Britain, so many plants can be planted outside. In his country, many plants have to be kept in glasshouses.
"Kew estimates there are about 350,000 species of plants around the world, higher plants. And perhaps 40 percent of those are at some risk of extinction. So Kew is very proud of its partnerships with China. We've had a long term partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, for more than 20 years. And I hope with Chengdu specifically, we can do some more work on plant collecting trips in Sichuan," said Deverell.
British Consul-General in Chongqing Anthony Preston expected more international collaboration to protect biodiversity in the future, and more involvement of ordinary people.
"I think that starts with young people at school, but continues through all different parts of society. So if we want to have a prosperous, healthy, positive future, we need to make sure that we are balancing our lives with that of the natural environment," said Preston.
The two sides also discussed further cooperation in the exchange of plant germplasm resources, research projects and personnel visits.
For Sichuan, one of the provinces with most abundant vegetation in China, international cooperation is an important way to contribute to biodiversity worldwide.
Kew Gardens director expects more biodiversity cooperation with China
