On July. 14, 2025, a delegation led by Deputy Director Zhou Wenneng of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), as known as Guangzhou Marine Lab (GML), visited Madagascar for exchange and collaboration. During the visit, the GML delegation attended the inauguration ceremony of the "China-Madagascar Joint Research Center on Biodiversity" jointly established by the GML, the University of Antananarivo, and the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The successful establishment of this center laid a crucial foundation for building a China-Madagascar scientific and technological cooperation platform under the framework of the “Belt and Road” initiative and for advancing collaborative research.
During the visit, Deputy Director Zhou Wenneng held in-depth discussions with Professor Rivoarison Randrianasolo, President of the University of Antananarivo. Building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year, both sides agreed to focus on core areas of collaboration, including the conservation of Madagascar's endemic and endangered species, restoration of tropical ecosystems, sustainable utilization of biological resources, and the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. The collaboration will involve the joint implementation of international cooperation and exchange projects under the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and “Belt and Road” international cooperation and open projects. Through joint field expeditions, specialized training, scholar exchanges, and other activities, Madagascar researchers will actively participate in cutting-edge studies and acquire advanced scientific research skills, contributing to the construction of a biodiversity security barrier for Madagascar.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the university's amphitheatre, with representatives from all involved parties attending the event. Following the ceremony, an academic exchange activity focused on joint scientific research projects was also organized. GML provided a set of advanced scientific instruments and equipment for the joint research center, offering a critical platform for conducting biochemical and molecular research in Antananarivo. The University placed great importance on the event, organizing cultural performances to showcase local traditions. Other attendees of the ceremony also included representatives from Madagascar’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the university's general coordinator, and the dean of the Faculty of Science.
The GML delegation also visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Madagascar, where they were received by Ambassador Ji Ping and participated in a discussion. During the meeting, the delegation introduced the progress of scientific and technological collaboration between Chinese and Malagasy teams, including the joint implementation of NSFC projects. The delegation also expressed a desire to learn from the successful experiences of China-Madagascar cooperation, further promote collaborative research, and strengthen the "new bond" of friendship between China and Madagascar. Ambassador Ji Ping affirmed the strong foundation of research collaboration and the solid China-Madagascar relationship in science and technology.
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