Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife — Academic Committee Meeting of State Key Laboratory Co-sponsored by Province and Ministry 2020 was held successfully in Chengdu. The meeting was held both online and offline with more than 50 members in attendance. Wei Fuwen, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the World Academy of Sciences, and Xia Xianzhu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, were among the people at the meeting.

Feng Wei, Director of Basic Research Division of Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Province, put forward the requirements of high quality construction and high-level management for the laboratory and also talked highly of Zhang Zhihe, the first Director of the laboratory, for his contribution and development of the laboratory. Director Feng Wei noted that the Basic Research Division will continue to give financial support for laboratory projects and encourage the laboratory to strive as a state key laboratory.

Hou Rong, Deputy Director of the laboratory, reported the research progress, laboratory software and hardware construction, operation and maintenance schedules in 2020 and the next development plan of the laboratory. Professor Zhang Xiuyue of Sichuan University and 7 scientific research backbones of panda base, also talked about the progress in R&D, heredity protection, metagenome, disease prevention and control, nutrition, protection information and the ecology of released animals.

Members of the academic committee reviewed the 2020 work report of the laboratory in detail before putting forward their suggestions. These suggestions were mainly about the research focus, transformation and application of R&D results, talent training, team building, opening-up and cooperation. The academic committee recognized Researcher Zhang Zhihe's contribution to the establishment and development of the laboratory during his tenure as its Director.

According to the requirements of the Measures for the Construction and Operations Management of Key Laboratories in Sichuan Province and the Service Guide for Information Change of Key Laboratories in Sichuan Province, Academician Wei, Director of the academic committee, informed all members about the personnel change of the director of the key laboratory. He recommended Researcher Hou Rong from panda base to become the new director. All participants unanimously recognized the work performance of Researcher Hou Rong and voted to confirm his nomination.

Wu Yongsheng, Director of the panda base, delivered a speech on behalf of Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, In his speech he expressed his gratitude to Academician Wei, Academician Xia and other committee members for their strong support. He said that panda base will remain true to its original aspiration, take further steps on scientific and technological innovation, continue to tackle scientific and technological problems, and carry out in-depth scientific research on giant pandas. He also expected leaders and experts to offer further support and guidance to the laboratory.