The International Workshop on Soil Improvement and Resource Utilization was successfully held on October 26-27, 2016 at Guangzhou Circle. Hosted by Hongda Xingye Co., Ltd., the workshop was organized by Guangdong Institute of World Soil Resources (or GIWSR), a subsidiary of Hongda Xingye, and co-organized by the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong Institute of Eco-environment Technology (formerly known as Guangdong Institute of Eco-environment and Soil Sciences).

Chairman of Hongda Xingye Co., Ltd. & GIWSR President Zhou Yifeng Delivering Opening Remarks

The workshop attracted a lot a famous scientists, entrepreneurs and government officials engaged in soil research from home and abroad, including President Shen Renfang from Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Vice President Zhang Ganlin from Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong Institute of Eco-environment Technology, CAE Member & CAS Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research Researcher Sun Jiulin, Cambodian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Has Sareth, Prof. Gary M. Pierzynaki from KSU Department of Agronomy, Prof. Akio Hata from Osaka City University, Researcher Chen Weiping from CAS Ecological Center and so on.

During the meeting, scholars from home and abroad delivered wonderful keynote speeches. Prof. Gary M. Pierzynaki discussed the significance of soil resources and food security, suggesting an increment in soil nutrients to maintain the balance between soil microbes and the nutrition system while Prof. Akio Hata shared with the audience Japan’s rich experience and knowledge in addressing mining pollutions. Researcher Yang Jingsong from Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed the potential and value of saline and alkaline soils and called for the society to develop the technology to improve such soils.

On the sidelines of the meeting, GIWSR president Zhou Yifeng took the attendees on a tour of GIWSR, and China Soils Museum, a soil herbarium set up by GIWSR. The guests gave high recognition to the soil herbarium as a platform for the public to learn more about soil.

Workshop Audience

The workshop attracted widespread attention from all walks of life, with the event actively covered by China Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Business Times, Nanfang Daily, Guangzhou Daily and other famous Chinese news media.

The workshop was closed on Oct 27 with a thought-provoking closing remark from GIWSR Deputy Director Wan Hongfu. Environmental protection and sustainable development are enduring themes in the world. May the workshop embark on a journey where Hongda Xingye aligns with experts, scholars and entrepreneurs from all over the world to contribute to soil protection and improvement, fighting for a better future for human beings.