On November 12, 2014, as informed by Prof. Barbara Barratt, executive chairman of International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), IOBC-APRS-Predatory Mites as Biological Control Agents working group, initiated by Professor Xu, Xuenong, chief scientist of the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program (ASTIP) Protection and application of natural enemies, IPP-CAAS, was officially approved after appraisal by IOBC international experts. This is the first IOBC-APRS working group initiated by Chinese scientist. The working group will establish an international platform for communications and cooperation about predatory mites, and promote research and application of predatory mites worldwide. The success in application is important in organizing international predatory mite research team in Asia-Pacific region, integrating resources for collaboration, improving the position and influence of China in biological control with predatory mites, and consolidating international cooperation and communications.

IOBC is an independent international scientific organization. It was established in 1955, and head-quartered in London. IOBC organizes multiple global academic communications annually, focusing on green pest management, protection of biodiversity, environment protection, sustainable development, food safety, and harmony between human and nature, etc. IOBC also provides technical supports for many international organizations and governments. During its more than half-century history, IOBC has provided numerous technical supports to FAO, EU, OECD, and World Bank, etc., and played an important role in policy making. Currently, members of IOBC include more than 8000 scientists from over 100 countries, and IOBC has 6 regional sections: APRS (Asia and Pacific Regional Section), ATRS (Afrotropical Regional Section), EPRS (East Palearctic Regional Section), NRS (Nearctic Regional Section), NTRS (Neotropical Regional Section), and WPRS (West Palearctic Regional Section).