From October 2 to 8, 2024, Yang Zuoren, Deputy Director General of the Institute of Western Agriculture at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), led a delegation of cotton experts on a visit to agricultural research institutions in Uzbekistan. The visit aimed to further deepen China-Uzbekistan cotton science and technology cooperation under the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative and to expand the depth and breadth of cooperation in cotton breeding, production technology, and technological innovation.

During the visit, the delegation held discussions with research institutions such as the Uzbekistan Cotton Breeding, Seed Production, and Agricultural Technology Research Institute, the Institute of Plant Genetics and Experimental Biology at the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources of Uzbekistan, and the Genomics and Bioinformatics Center of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as the protection and exchange of cotton germplasm resources, the joint breeding of new varieties with improved resistance to stresses and diseases, pest control and risk assessment, optimizing and promoting sustainable cotton planting technologies and production models in the context of climate change, talent development, and academic exchanges.

During a meeting with the Institute of Plant Genetics and Experimental Biology of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, both parties signed a cooperation agreement, outlining key areas of collaboration such as resource sharing and joint efforts in breeding technology. The delegation also established close cooperation with the Genomics and Bioinformatics Center of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences and reached preliminary agreements on potential future collaborations in molecular breeding and genomics technology.

During the visit, the delegation also toured the cotton experimental fields at the Genomics and Bioinformatics Center of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences and the gene bank at the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources of Uzbekistan, providing them with a more direct and in-depth understanding of Uzbekistan’s latest research achievements and advanced technologies in the cotton science field.

The visit was joined by Song Meizhen, Chief Scientist of the High-Quality Cotton Production Models and Technological Innovation Team, Feng Hongjie, Executive Chief of the Cotton Disease Control and Risk Assessment Innovation Team, and other relevant officials.