A workshop on strategic cooperation between CEODE and China’s National Commission of Man and the Biosphere Program was held on 21 June, 2009 in Beijing. Co-chaired by Prof. WANG Xinyuan, Director of CEODE S&T Department and Prof. WANG Ding, Secretary-general of the Commission Secretariat, the meeting was attended by nearly 20 experts and scholars.

At the meeting, BI Jiantao, an Associate Research Professor with CEODE, made a presentation on the application of “3S” technologies, namely GIS (geographic information system), RS (remote sensing) and GPS (global positioning system), in the biosphere conservation. On the basis of an introduction to space information technology development and the reality of the biosphere protection, the report expounded the functions and perspective of such technologies in this aspect under the scenario of global change. In addition, HE Haikun, an executive from the Shankou Natural Reserve of Mangrove in Guangxi, gave a talk on the application of RS and GIS in the management of mangrove, introducing the status quo of the Reserve and explaining difficulties to be addressed for using space information technology. Participants agreed that the technology has a significant role to play in the management of the Reserve, and much room remains for further cooperation between the two sides.