On March 20, a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific visited the South District Greenhouse of the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers (IVF), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), to conduct an on-site review of the institute's latest progress in germplasm resource innovation, breeding of new vegetable and flower varieties, and efficient cultivation technologies. The delegation was accompanied by Qian Yu, Deputy Director-General (acting) of Department of International Cooperation, CAAS and Lin Zhai, Deputy Director-General; as well as Zhanying Kou, Secretary of the Party Committee; Shengping Zhang, Deputy Director; Yaning Zhai, Deputy Director; Fang Wang, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Committee; and Feng Cheng, Assistant Director of IVF.

On behalf of IVF，Deputy Director Yaning Zhai first extended a warm welcome to the delegation, expressing the hope that both sides would deepen cooperation and jointly contribute to the sustainable development of global agriculture. Subsequently, Lei Li, Director of Division of Technology Management and International Collaboration, reviewed the work experience and contributions of Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO during his tenure at IVF, and provided an overview of the institute's achievements in scientific and technological innovation, technology transfer, talent team development, and international cooperation. During the on-site visit, Deputy Director Shengping Zhang, Assistant Director Feng Cheng, and researchers Xiuxin Zhang and Honghao Lyu explained the characteristics of different vegetable and flower varieties, breakthroughs in key technologies, and their international demonstration and promotion.

The delegation members showed great interest in the efficient production technologies and superior varieties displayed in the greenhouse, engaging in in-depth exchanges with researchers on technical details, variety adaptability, and the promotion of achievements. They highly commended the institute's research capabilities and technological innovations, and expressed anticipation for further expanding cooperation with IVF in areas such as germplasm resources and breeding technologies, building on the existing collaboration.

This visit and exchange activity not only enhanced FAO's understanding of the current state of vegetable science and technology development in China, but also laid a solid foundation for future practical cooperation between the two sides in a broader range of fields.