The People's Government of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences formally signed the Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Erhai Lake Research (2026–2030) on May 21, 2026. (Credit: IHB)

The People's Government of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences formally signed the Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Erhai Lake Research (2026–2030) on May 21, 2026, marking a new phase in their long-term partnership on the conservation and sustainable management of Erhai Lake.

The signing ceremony took place during a visit by a delegation from the Dali Prefectural Government to IHB. The delegation, led by Governor CHEN Zhenyong, included representatives from the Dali Prefectural Government, the Erhai Lake Administration Bureau, Dali City Government, and Dali Modern Agriculture Development Group. They met with IHB Director MIAO Wei, institute leadership, and researchers involved in Erhai Lake studies and conservation.

Welcoming the delegation, Miao highlighted IHB’s long-standing commitment to research on Erhai Lake. Since the 1950s, the institute has conducted continuous scientific investigations in the lake basin, with more than 100 researchers and graduate students participating in long-term field studies and ecological research. In recent years, IHB has carried out research and technological innovation in several key areas related to lake conservation and management.

Miao noted that the inauguration of the Erhai Plateau Lake Ecosystem Research Station in Shangguan Town, Dali City, in October 2024 represented an important milestone in cooperation between the two sides. He expressed hope that future collaboration would further expand in both scope and depth, contributing to scientific solutions for the ecological challenges facing Erhai Lake and supporting the long-term improvement of its aquatic environment.

Chen thanked IHB for its long-term support of Erhai Lake conservation efforts. He noted that generations of IHB researchers have worked in the Erhai Lake region and made important contributions to improving the lake’s ecological condition. He also acknowledged the growing influence of the “Erhai Experience” in lake protection and management.

Looking ahead, Chen expressed expectations for continued cooperation based on closer coordination, practical implementation, and greater openness and resource sharing. He said these efforts would help advance Erhai Lake conservation and governance to a higher level.

The agreement formalizes the broad consensus reached between the two sides on future scientific collaboration and sets the framework for joint efforts from 2026 to 2030.