The XIX International Botanical Congress is being held in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China (23^th – 29^th July, 2017). The delegation of GCCC, including Prof. Wei Yi-Gang, Dr. Wen Fang, Mr. Fu Long-Fei, Ms. Li Shu, Mr. Xin Zi-Bing, Ms. Dong Jia and Master Degree Candidate, Ms. Su Lan-Ying, attended this event (Figs. 1). Dr. Qiu Zhi-Jing [the principal of GCCC (Shenzhen)], Dr. Hong Xin[the principal of GCCC (Eastern China)] and Mr. Fan Zhi-Wei [the principal of GCCC (Guizhou)] also attended this congress (Figs. 2).

Figs. 1  Delegation of GCCC attended the XIX International Botanical Congress in Shenzhen

Figs. 2  The principals of GCCC, GCCC(Guizhou): Mr. Fan Zhi-Wei, GCCC: Dr. Wen Fang, GCCC (Shenzhen): Dr. Qiu Zhi-Jing, GCCC (Eastern China): Dr. Hong Xin

In this congress, Dong Jia made a presentation, entitled “Genetic Diversity and Structure of Primulina renifolia (Gesneriaceae), an endangered Karst cave plants”. Her presentation expounded the endangered mechanism of Primulina renifolia from the aspect of genetic biodiversity (Figs. 3). Mr. Xin Zi-Bing had a presentation entitled “Conservation and biological implications of a diverse vascular plant flora in Karst caves of SW China”. In his talking, many Gesneriaceae species and their survival status were introduced in details (Figs. 4). Dr. Hong Xin, Dr. Wen Fang and Prof. Wei Yi-Gang cooperated to show an e-Poster entitled “The spatial distribution of Primulina (Gesneriaceae) favorable habitats and the predication of the habitat changing in the future”(Figs. 5).

Figs. 3  Dong Jia is making the presentation 

Figs. 4  Xin Zi-Bing is making the presentation

Figs. 5  Dr. Hong Xin (right), Dr. Wen Fang (left), Prof. Wei Yi-Gang (Center) and their e-Poster

In the morning of 24^thJuly, the satellite meeting for Gesneriaceae of this Congress was being held at the Sheraton Shenzhen Futian Hotel. The satellite meeting was hosted by Dr. Qiu Zhi-Jing, who is the principal of GCCC (Shenzhen) and Dr. Michael Möller, who is the Deputy Director of Science Division, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The principal of GCCC, Dr. Wen Fang, made a presentation entitled “The High biodiversity & Endangered Status of Gesneriaceae in China and the history & Aims of Gesneriad Conservation Center of China (GCCC)”. In his talking, Dr. Wen carefully introduced the taxonomical history of Chinese Gesneriaceae and the changing of biodiversity of Chinese Gesneriaceae, and the efforts of GCCC for conservation of Gesneriaceae in China. The principal of GCCC (Shenzhen), Dr. Qiu, had a special talking about Petrocosmea in China; and the principal of GCCC (Eastern China), Dr. Hong, introduced the various actions and researches about Gesneriaceae in Anhui and eastern China. Dr. Michael Möller from U.K., Dr. Pranee Nangngam from Thailand and Dr. Chen Wen-Hong from Kunming Institute of Botany were invited to make interesting and valuable presentations about Gesneriaceae (Figs. 6 – Figs. 11).

Figs. 6  Dr. Michael Möller is making the presentation

Figs.7  Dr. Pranee Nangngam is making the presentation

Figs.8  Dr. Chen Wen-Hong is making the presentation

Figs.9  Dr. Wen Fang is making the presentation

Figs. 10  Dr. Qiu Zhi-Jing is making the presentation

Figs. 11  Dr. Hong Xin is making the presentation

In the afternoon, the experts and scholars were guided by Dr. Qiu, the principal of GCCC (Shenzhen) to visit the conservation area and display area of GCCC (Shenzhen). After visiting, all attendees came together to discuss on development of GCCC(Figs. 12 & Figs. 13).

Figs. 12  Some participants of Gesneriaceae satellite meeting in the XIX International Botanical Congress

Figs. 13  Some participants of Gesneriaceae satellite meeting of the XIX International Botanical Congress in the Conservation Center of the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden

GCCC was co-established by Guilin Botanic Garden and the Gesneriad Society in 2013, is located in Guilin, Guangxi. Then, three branched centers of GCCC, GCCC (Shenzhen), GCCC (Guizhou) and GCCC (Eastern China), respectively were set up in Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (Shenzhen, Guangdong), Guizhou Botanical Garden (Guiyang, Guizhou) and Anhui University (Hefei, Anhui). GCCC and its three branches will need to focus differently. Guilin center, is located in Guilin, where is the representative of typical limestone areas of China, will focus on collection and conservation of Gesneriaceae plants which are mainly distributed in mid and low altitude areas; will focus on cultivation and display in simulated habitats. GCCC (Guizhou) will focus on collection, conservation and cultivation of species, which prefers and adapt to the cool habitats (Alpine plants), e. g. Oreocharis and Petrocosmea, and collection of ornamental garden varieties of Saintpaulia and Streptocarpus.GCCC (Eastern China) will focus on the collection of Gesneriaceae seeds from eastern China and public education for undergraduates. GCCC (Shenzhen) is located in the developed city of Guangdong, that the economy of the region is stronger and owns wild audience. Thus, GCCC (Shenzhen) has great advantages to popularize Conservation and Horticulture of Gesneriaceae, also suits for science popularization education to primary and secondary school students and public people.

In this satellite meeting, the principals of GCCC and GCCC branches have consensus to carry out GCCC annual meeting of GCCC every year. GCCC (Guizhou) and Guizhou Botanical Garden, will hold the annual meeting in Guiyang in 2018(Figs.14).

Figs. 14   The discussion symposium of Gesneriaceae satellite meeting of the XIX International Botanical Congress