From March 17 to 22, at the invitation of the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of Lao PDR, a delegation of eight experts led by Prof. Zhang Jie, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPPCAAS), visited Vientiane to advance bilateral cooperation on plant biosafety. Dr. Bi Jieying, Director of General Office, CIAR of CAAS, joined the delegation.

The delegation held meetings with Mr. Bounsu Soudmaly, Deputy Director General of the Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Souliya Souvandouane, Director of the Plant Protection Center (PPC), along with other senior officials and technical staff. The two sides discussed implementation plans for several collaborative projects in Laos, including the Strategic Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project under China’s National Key R&D Program, the Asia Cooperation Fund Project, and Phase II of the International Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program (CAASTIP II). They also reviewed progress on the development of the Lao PDR-China Joint Laboratory for Plant Protection.

Prof. Zhang Jie introduced the key achievements since the joint laboratory’s establishment. Dr. Souvandouane expressed appreciation for the long-term support from IPPCAAS and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation. According to the shared vision, the joint laboratory will focus on monitoring and early warning of major transboundary pests and diseases, green pest management technologies, and capacity building for plant biosecurity. The goal is to promote the demonstration and application of China’s eco-friendly technologies and biocontrol products in Laos, and jointly contribute to a regional plant protection network.

During the visit, experts from IPPCAAS provided technical training on several priority topics, including monitoring of migratory pests, integrated pest management (IPM) for maize, surveillance and control of maize foliar diseases, and the application of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-based biopesticides. Over 20 technical staff from the Plant Protection Center participated in the training, which included hands-on demonstrations and in-depth discussions. 

To support capacity development, two staff members from PPC will pursue Ph.D. studies in China this year. Additionally, three researchers will conduct three-month academic exchanges in China as part of the ongoing cooperation.

The delegation also visited rice and maize production sites near Vientiane, where they confirmed with Lao counterparts the design and schedule of upcoming IPM demonstration activities. In addition, the Chinese delegation visited the FAO Representation in Lao PDR, the Faculty of Agriculture at the National University of Laos, and the Yunnan State Farms Lao Rubber and Crop Research Center, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.

This visit marks a new stage in China-Laos cooperation in plant protection, reinforcing the joint commitment to advancing green agriculture under the Belt and Road Initiative and contributing to regional food security and biosafety.