On April 19, a symposium for the advancement of the CAAS-INRAE Joint Laboratory of Plant Protection, affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the France National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE), was held at IPPCAAS. Dr. Zhang Jie, Deputy Director General of IPPCAAS, and Mr. Florent Chazarence, Director of the Asia Project at INRAE, attended and delivered speeches. Dr. Tian Fang, Deputy Director of the Department of Research and International Cooperation presided over the symposium.

Dr. Zhang Jie warmly welcomed the delegation from INRAE, briefly introduced the technological innovation and international cooperation of IPPCAAS, and pointed out the needs to further strengthen scientific exchanges between China and France, and promote the stable and sustainable development of the CAAS-INRAE Joint Lab on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties established between the two countries. Dr. Yang Bin, Secretary of Joint Lab , presented a report on the progress and achievements of the joint lab in terms of talent cultivation, project development, and research advances, etc. Young scientists in different research areas of IPPCAAS also joined the discussion.

Mr. Florent Chazarence expressed his appreciation for the fruitful achievements of the CAAS-INRAE Joint Laboratory over the past five years, and gratitude for the support provided by IPPCAAS. Both sides agreed that the cultivation of young scientists is crucial for the future of mutual cooperation, and they are willing to build the platform for young scientists in different research fields, further leveraging the role of the joint lab in promoting the development of new productivity and high-quality production.

The China-France Joint Laboratory of Plant Protection, based on the strengths of CAAS and INRAE, with Prof. Wang Guirong and Prof. Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly serving as the co-directors. The joint lab has been focused on the interactions among bacteria, insects, and plants, aiming to accelerate the research and development of new products for the prevention and control of major agricultural pests and diseases using cutting-edge technologies. Since its establishment, the joint lab has published 18 high-level papers in renowned international SCI journals such as Nature Communications, Molecular Biology and Evolution, PNAS, and eLife. It has jointly applied for and obtained approval for 11 projects, and its cooperative achievements have been selected by the Ministry of Science and Technology of People’s Republic of China as representative achievements in key areas of China-France scientific cooperation in celebration of the 60th anniversary diplomatic ties between the two countries. This symposium is of great significance for determining the future direction of the joint lab and further deepening scientific cooperation for both sides. Also present at the meeting were Liu Sirui and Qi Cairong from the INRAE Beijing Office, as well as relevant experts from IPPCAAS.