The 14th Cross-Strait Symposium on Constructed Wetlands was held in Taiwan from 29^th September to 6^th October, 2024. (Credit: IHB)

The 14th Cross-Strait Symposium on Constructed Wetlands was held in Taiwan from 29^th September to 6^th October, 2024. This significant event was co-organized by the Taiwan Wetland Society, the Water Resources Research Center of Sun Yat-sen University (Taiwan), the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), and co-organized by Wetlands Taiwan, the Taiwan Wetlands Conservation Association, the Environmental Biology Committee of the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences, and Wuhan Textile University. The Department of Life Sciences of Chung Hsing University hosted the event. 

Over 100 experts, scholars, and engineering management professionals from more than 40 universities, research institutions, and enterprises across the Strait attended the symposium. Fang Weida, president of the Taiwan Wetland Society, presided over the opening ceremony. MIAO Wei, director of IHB, delivered a speech via video on behalf of the mainland organizer. Other notable speeches were given by representatives including Kang Minjie, chairperson of the Wetlands Taiwan; Lin Hsing-Juh, honorary president of the Taiwan Wetland Society; Prof. Yang Lei from Sun Yat-sen University (Taiwan); Prof. WU Zhenbin from IHB; and Prof. Tam Fung Yee from City University of Hong Kong/Hong Kong Metropolitan University. During the opening ceremony, WU Zhenbin and Lin Hsing-Juh exchanged wetland research publications between experts from both sides of the Strait.

The symposium's theme was "Climate Change and Sustainable Wetlands" . Keynote speakers, including Professors WU Zhenbin, Tam Fung Yee, Fang Weida, Wei Guoyan from Feng Chia University, and YANG Yang from Jinan University, addressed topics including "Cross-Strait Wetland Research and Exchange", "Mangrove Blue Carbon: Sequestration and Release of Greenhouse Gases", "Taiwan's Wetland Policy, Management, and Outlook", "Nature-based Urban Solutions: Using Constructed Wetlands", and "New Technologies for Pollutant Treatment in Constructed Wetlands". Additionally, more than 40 other representatives presented reports, with over 40 papers submitted for discussion. 

Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the future prospects and challenges of wetlands, human well-being, climate change, and sustainable development, while reflecting on the history of cross-strait cooperation. At the closing ceremony, Fang Weida presented a painting collection by renowned Taiwanese artist Huang Sumei to MIAO Wei, with WU Zhenbin and other attendees from IHB accepting the gift on behalf of Miao. 

During the event, experts also conducted field visits to the Fangyuan Mangrove Wetland in Changhua, the Checheng Reservoir, and the artificial floating islands in Nantou. 

Launched in 2008 by Prof. WU Zhenbin and Prof. Yang Lei, the symposium has been successfully held 14 times in cities like Wuhan, Kaohsiung, Haikou, Taipei, Yichang, Hangzhou, Chiayi, Yinchuan, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau, Guilin, and Taichung. It has attracted over 4,600 participants, including more than 50 CAS and CAE members and senior experts. The symposium has produced over 720 papers and 550 presentations. Through special publications, professional training, personnel exchanges, and project collaborations, the symposium has fostered the development of wetland conservation concepts, ecological engineering technologies, and the ecological restoration industry across the region.

Fang Weida, president of the Taiwan Wetland Society, presided over the opening ceremony and gave a welcome speech at the 14th Cross-Strait Symposium on Constructed Wetlands. (Credit: IHB)

MIAO Wei, director of IHB, delivered a speech via video on behalf of the mainland organizer.  (Credit: IHB)

Lin Hsing-Juh, honorary president of the Taiwan Wetland Society, addressed the 14th Cross-Strait Symposium on Constructed Wetlands and presented wetland research publications to Professor WU Zhenbin. (Credit: IHB)

Prof. Yang Lei from Sun Yat-sen University (Taiwan) addressed the 14th Cross-Strait Symposium on Constructed Wetlands. (Credit: IHB)

Prof. WU Zhenbin addressed the 14th Cross-Strait Symposium on Constructed Wetlands and gave a keynote speech.  (Credit: IHB)

Prof. Tam Fung Yee from City University of Hong Kong/Hong Kong Metropolitan University addressed the 14th Cross-Strait Symposium on Constructed Wetlands and gave a keynote speech.  (Credit: IHB)

Wei Guoyan, chair professor from Feng Chia University, gave a keynote speech at the 14th Cross-Strait Symposium on Constructed Wetlands. (Credit: IHB)

Prof. ZHOU Qiaohong chaired a session of the 14th Cross-Strait Symposium on Constructed Wetlands and gave an oral presentation.  (Credit: IHB)

At the closing ceremony, Fang Weida presented a painting collection by renowned Taiwanese artist Huang Sumei to MIAO Wei, with WU Zhenbin and other attendees from IHB accepting the gift on behalf of Miao. (Credit: IHB)

During the event, experts conducted a field visit to the Fangyuan Mangrove Wetland in Changhua.  (Credit: IHB)