A delegation from the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, led by director KE Ke, along with other officials, visited IHB at the Guanqiao Campus.(Credit: IHB)

On August 29, 2024, a delegation from the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, led by director KE Ke, along with other officials, visited the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences at the Guanqiao Campus. The focus of their visit was to examine the research and conservation efforts related to the Yangtze finless porpoises and the resources for science popularization education. They discussed advancing the planning and implementation of the Yangtze Ecological Protection and Science Popularization Display Center project, addressing project needs and challenges.

IHB's deputy director XIE Shouqi, along with relevant researchers and management personnel, participated in the discussions. Prof. WANG Kexiong reported on the proposal for deep integration of scientific education, cultural tourism, and the protection of the Yangtze finless porpoise. The attendees engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions on the research topics.

Director Ke affirmed the significant contributions of IHB to the ecological protection of the Yangtze River, especially the historic achievements in Yangtze finless porpoise conservation. He emphasized that Hubei Province is actively promoting the construction of the Yangtze National Cultural Park in its section and developing a world-class cultural tourism resort around East Lake in Wuhan. The Yangtze finless porpoise is a highly valued resource, known for its nicknames such as "Spirit of the Yangtze," "Smiling Angel," and "Panda of the Water." He highlighted the importance of developing a distinctive science popularization and cultural tourism initiative focused on the Yangtze finless porpoise while continuing conservation efforts.

Participants proposed drawing on the experiences of Sichuan Province's panda breeding protection and the integration of science education with cultural tourism. The goal is to break down barriers between porpoise breeding protection and scientific education, planning the construction of a project centered on the breeding and protection of the Yangtze finless porpoise, creating a positive cycle where "science education promotes breeding, breeding promotes cultural tourism, and cultural tourism supports research."