From September 3rd to 6th, 2018, organized by Sichuan Agricultural University, the Symposium on Earthquakes, Typhoons and Biodiversity across the Taiwan Straits, co-sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and K.T.Li Foundation for Development of Science and Technology, was held in Chengdu. Around 30 experts and students attended the Symposium across the Straits.

In 2014, NSFC and K.T.Li Foundation decided to provide extended funding support for joint research projects on both sides of the Taiwan Straits in the three fields of “earthquakes”, “Typhoons” and “Biodiversity”. After an open call and peer review, a total of 10 research projects were finally funded by both sides. The approved projects started in 2015. The symposium in Chengdu intended to review the research progress and cooperation of the projects in those three fields.

Prof. Yang Junlin, Director of NSFC Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs and Wan Qichao, Secretary General of K.T.Li Foundation, each delivered a speech at the symposium in respective. Thirteen researchers from both sides of the Straits presented their research findings, exchange & cooperation progress, experiences acquired and ideas for future cooperation. The symposium has successfully improved the communication and exchanges between the researchers from both sides of the Straits and built a great platform for research promotion as originally desired.

Representatives from NSFC Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, Department of Mathematical & Physical Sciences, and K.T.Li Foundation General Office were also present at the symposium.