Professor Wang Qingfeng, Assistant Director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Wuhan Botanical Garden (PHOTO BY LIU JIAN)

 "Kenyan researchers know more about their local plants. And very often, good ideas for the research project came to me when I was discussing with them."

 

Dr. Robert W. Gituru, senior lecturer and Director of the Directorate of Sino-African Biodiversity Resources Conservation at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (PHOTO BY LIU JIAN)

"Because nature has endowed Africa with some of the richest biodiversity in the world, my dream is that my generation will not be the one that destroys this gift, but the one that preserves it for the future generations."

Professor Zhu Xiangbin, Assistant President for International Affairs at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (PHOTO BY LIU JIAN)

"Conducting joint scientific research is a good way for Chinese and African researchers to communicate, exchange ideas and better understand each other."

Dr. Salome Gichura Ogw, Director of the Directorate of Higher Education of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology

"Through research and education on biodiversity conservation, we will gradually touch the minds of people living in villages, not only people living in city centers, and eventually we will build a green society."

Professor Wang Xiaoming, Director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Fairylake Botanical Garden of Shenzhen (PHOTO BY LIU JIAN)

"A considerable lack of environmental awareness makes conservation difficult both in China and Africa. I observed that many Kenyans are environmentally conscious. This is an area for mutual learning."

Professor Mabel Imbuga, Vice Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

"Because of climate change, Kenya has already experienced some environmental challenges. Our research on biodiversity conservation will help improve the livelihoods of our people, as around 80 percent of working Kenyans make their living by farming."

Dr. Liao Kuo, research associate at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Wuhan Botanical Garden (PHOTO BY LIU JIAN)

"I can always learn something from my Kenyan counterparts about the nature, uses and value of their local plants. Each field trip has helped us understand these plants more accurately and thoroughly."

John Kamau Muchuku, lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (PHOTO BY LIU JIAN)

"Plant biodiversity is important for the whole ecosystem. If we don't study plants, especially the endangered ones, some animals may also disappear, as some of them depend on certain plants."

Dr. Wan Tao, assistant professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Fairylake Botanical Garden of Shenzhen (PHOTO BY LIU JIAN)

"This is the first time that I have participated in field research conducted in Kenya, and I am so impressed by the biodiversity in Kenya. This trip has been fruitful, and it has broadened my horizons."

Josphat Rutere Mbogo, technologist at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (PHOTO BY LIU JIAN)

"This joint research is comprehensive. We are traveling across Kenya, looking at every plant in different seasons of the year. The project has been a great experience for me, because I learn during every field research trip."