On December 30th 2008, Congress and annual academic meeting of Hubei and Wuhan Botanical Societies were held in Wuhan Botanical Garden. A total of 128 botanists from universities and research institutions in Hubei attended this event.

Prof. Li Huilin, Vice President of Hubei Association for Science and Technology, Mr. Liu Hongjiang, Head of the Department for Societies, Ms. Zhao Xia, Deputy Director General of the NGO Supervision Office of Hubei Civil Affairs Bureau, and other leaders attended the convention.

Dr. Kuang Hanhui, a Cheung Kong Scholar, professor of Huazhong Agricultural University, Dr. Zhao Jie, professor of the College of Life Science of Wuhan University, and Dr. Ding Jianqing, research professor of the CAS Wuhan Botanical Garden were invited to present seminars. Dr. Kuang’s seminar was “Evolution of disease resistance genes in plants—interaction of TMV with tobacco”. Dr. Zhao’s seminar was titled “Biological function of metallothionein in plants”. The title of Dr. Ding’s seminar was “Response of invasive plants to environmental changes and the ecological effects”.

Moreover, the 8th Board of Directors of Hubei and Wuhan Botanical Societies was elected in the convention. Prof. Li Huilin, Vice President of Hubei Association for Science and Technology, and Ms. Zhao Xia, Deputy Director General of the NGO Supervision Office of Hubei Civil Affairs Bureau, addressed the convention and expressed their congratulations.

In closing, Dr. Li Shaohua, the newly-elected president of the society, Deputy Managing Director and professor of the CAS Wuhan Botanical Garden extended his gratitude to the previous council for their dedication on behalf of the new council, and stated their determination to make persistent efforts on the good basis laid by the previous council, and to unleash the society’s advantages in scientific research and resources, thus making active contribution to the sustainable social and economic development of Hubei and the Wuhan municipality.