On June 5th, Ms Monica Collins, First Assistant Secretary of Plant Biosecurity and Science Services Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Australian Government visited the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPPCAAS). Dr. Zhang Jie, Deputy Director General of IPPCAAS, met with the guests. Dr. Tian Fang, Deputy Director of the Division of Research and International Cooperation, chaired the meeting.

DDG Zhang warmly welcomed Ms. Collins and her delegation, briefly introducing IPPCAAS's development orientation, scientific and technological innovation, international cooperation, and platform construction. He emphasized the importance the IPPCAAS places on collaborating with international partners, including Australia, in conducting joint research and control of transboundary pests. DDG Zhang reviewed the successful cooperation with Australian institutions over the past two decades, and looked forward to further collaboration on plant biosafety issues of mutual concern.

Ms. Collins highly praised the achievements of IPPCAAS experts in basic plant protection research, biocontrol technology innovation, product development, and application. She expressed hope that scientists from both sides would enhance exchanges and cooperation to make greater contributions to regional plant biosafety.

Associate Professors Xian Xiaoqing and Liu Chenxi from IPPCAAS introduced the progress of China-Australia Joint Centre for the Prevention and Management of Exotic Invasive Species, and the cooperation between the Sino-American Biological Control Laboratory and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) of Australia, respectively. Dr. Zhang Jinping, Senior scientist at CABI East and Southeast Asia Center, highlighted the progress of biological control of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in kiwifruit in China. Both sides had further discussions on topics including plant pest diagnosis, monitoring, early warning, and prevention and control, and reached consensus on the main content of a proposed memorandum of understanding for cooperation.

Dr. Andrew Loch, Director of Temperate Horticulture, Plant Sciences and Risk Assessment of DAFF, Ms. Sally Ormiston, Assistant Director of Market Coordination and Strategy of DAFF, Ms. Leah Cuttriss, Counsellor of Australian Embassy in Beijing, and Ms. Ruby Jin, Senior Research and Program Officer of Australian Embassy in Beijing, accompanied the visiting.