Experts from Uzbekistan Visit XIEG for Collaboration on Halophytes

A delegation of seven people, led by Bakhitjan Khabibullaev, Director of the International Innovation Center for Aral Sea basin under Uzbekistan's Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, visited the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, from December 16 to 20.

Xinjiang's saline-alkali land accounts for one-third of China's total saline-alkali land, providing XIEG with a foundation to develop advanced technologies and achieve fruitful results in halophyte utilization and saline-alkali land improvement. Similarly, Uzbekistan is grappling with challenges such as drought, soil salinization, and biodiversity loss.

During their stay, the delegation participated in a seminar focused on halophyte resources. They also visited several key sites, including the 20-hectare halophyte garden in Karamay, Xinjiang, the saline-alkali land improvement demonstration zone, and the Turpan Eremophytes Botanical Garden under XIEG. Through discussions and on-site visits, the Uzbek experts gained a deeper understanding of halophyte resources in Xinjiang, as well as the technologies for improving saline-alkali land. They particularly noted the role of Suaeda salsa in improving saline-alkali soils, enhancing farmland productivity, and serving as both a medicinal and food resource.

Uzbek experts praised XIEG's remarkable achievements in utilizing halophytes and valuable experience in improving saline-alkali land, hoping that XIEG could provide technical support for establishing a halophyte garden in Uzbekistan.

In August 2024, during a meeting with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Prof. ZHANG Yuanming, Director of XIEG, presented four proposals to enhance China–Uzbekistan cooperation. One of these proposals was to build a halophyte garden in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov expressed his support for the proposal, highlighting its alignment with Uzbekistan's priorities, and urged for prompt action. The visit by Uzbek experts to Xinjiang aimed to advance the building of the halophyte garden, and to strengthen bilateral collaboration between China and Uzbekistan.

Seminar on halophyte resources (Image by XIEG)

Visit to the halophyte garden in Karamay, Xinjiang (Image by XIEG)

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn