On July 12th, a meeting was held at the Qunsheng Haosheng Hotel Conference Center, near the GZU campus in Huaixi District of Guiyang, to mark the launch of "Strategic Research on the Path to Rural Revitalization in Western China," a major strategic consulting project of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. The initiative consists of four sub-projects and will conduct in-depth research over a two-year period in thirteen western provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, including Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi, Ningxia, Qinghai, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang. The research aims to address various bottleneck problems that hinder rural development in the western regions, such as rural industrial systems, basic infrastructure, potential opportunities, talent support, market demand, key projects, investment benefits, income for villagers, rural governance situations, evaluation indicators, developmental trends, typical cases, achievements, experiences, and existing issues. The project will propose feasible solutions and identify typical cases and experiences that demonstrate a comprehensive revitalization of rural areas in the west and can be replicated in other regions. The experts involved are expected to produce a research report with recommendations that can be presented not only to the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council but also to relevant industrial sectors or provincial commissions. Ultimately, the findings of the research will provide scientific consultation for a comprehensive improvement in rural revitalization strategies in the western regions and throughout China.

Chen Zhuo, the Deputy Director of the National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticides at Guizhou University and Scientist in the National Bulk Vegetable Industry Technology System, presented a report on the research plan of the project from six aspects: background, objectives, procedures, preliminary work, budget, and projected results. The academicians and experts present discussed the plan from different perspectives and provided concrete and constructive suggestions regarding its objectives, ideas, and specific practices.

At the end of the event, Song Bao'an delivered a concluding speech. He first expressed gratitude to the Chinese Academy of Engineering for their long-term support to GZU. He then stated that the project team will consider the advice of the academicians and experts, engage in in-depth discussions, and make specific research plans. With the support of the experts and through collaborative efforts, the team will make greater efforts to achieve significant results, which may serve as instrumental decision-making solutions for rural revitalization and development in western regions and across China.

Zuo Jiahe, the Deputy Director of the First Bureau of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, presided over the meeting. The event was attended by four institutions leading the project, namely the Strategic Consulting Center of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Guizhou University, Yunnan Agricultural University, and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Additionally, around twenty experts from various universities participated, including Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi University, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xizang Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Guangxi University, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Qinghai Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Lanzhou University, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Ningxia University. Other notable experts present were Song Bao’an, the project’s leading organizer and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as Professor Li Jianjun, GZU CPC Secretary, and Zhang Dalin, Vice President of GZU.

The meeting was attended by 22 renowned experts, including Professor Deng Xiuxin, Vice Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, Academician and Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Professor Liu Xu, Academician and former Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Professor Tang Huajun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former Director of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Professor Rong Tingzhao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Sichuan Agricultural University; Professor Nan Zhibiao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Lanzhou University; Professor Chen Wenfu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Shenyang Agricultural University; Professor Li Yu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Jilin Agricultural University; Professor Luo Xiwen, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and South China Agricultural University; Professor Chen Jianping, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Ningbo University; Professor Chen Xuegeng, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Shihezi University; Researcher Han Bin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS; Professor Kang Zhensheng, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Northwest A&F University; Researcher Hao Xiaojiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor Zhang Keqin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan University; Professor Yu Jingquan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Zhejiang University; Researcher Zhou Wei, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Researcher Yin Feihu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences; and Professor Sun Qixin, President of China Agricultural University; Wei Qiwen, Party Secretary and Director of the Party Committee of the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Professor Li Xing, Party Secretary of Ningxia University; Professor Chen Baoshan of Guangxi University; and Professor Yang Guangfu of Central China Normal University.

Editor:  Zhang Chan

Chief Editor:  Li Xufeng

Senior Editor:  Yang Nan

Translator:   Li Xiaorong