Briefly

Water congress to meet in Beijing

Almost 1,300 people, nearly half of them from overseas, will participate in the upcoming 18th World Water Congress in Beijing from Sept 11 to 15, according to the Ministry of Water Resources. As one of the world's largest congresses linking water policymakers, researchers and policy practitioners, the congress has been held by the International Water Resources Association every three years since 1973. It is the first time that the congress is being held in China. The event this year will be co-organized by the ministry. About 600 delegates from foreign government bodies, research institutes, universities and water-related international organizations are expected to attend the event.

Rice innovation platform inaugurated

A national rice science and technology innovation platform has been inaugurated in Baoqing county, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, according to China Science Daily on Wednesday. The platform is run by the China National Rice Research Institute and is engaged in the core technology development of China's rice industry. The institute has cooperated with local research institutes and colleges in Northeast China to promote new rice varieties and new technologies, said Wu Kongming, president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The platform has carried out major sci-tech research in terms of rice breeding and black soil protection, according to Hu Peisong, head of the institute.

China Daily - Xinhua