P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Hosted by the University Grant Council Area of Excellence on Plant and Fungal Biotechnology Research Centre at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, "The 3rd Cross Strait Symposium on Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology" was held at CUHK on 6-9 August 2001.  Over 50 scientific policy makers and leading scientists from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan presented their cutting-edge researches and application prospects of plant biotechnology at the cross strait areas, and signed a joint declaration in support of agricultural biotechnology for the first time.

Symposium participants reaffirmed that agricultural biotechnology will lessen the demand of agricultural products worldwide while protecting the environment and natural resources.  The public concerns on recombinant DNA technology and genetically modified food were also discussed.

At the closing ceremony, a declaration in support of agriculture biotechnology (see appendix) was co-signed by over 50 scientists attended the symposium, including Professor Xu Zhi-hong, president of Peking University, Professor Gu Ming-hong, president of Yangzhou University, Professor Tang Ji-liang, president of Guangxi University, Professor Zhang Qi-fa, Academician of China Academy of Sciences and director of National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Professor Jia Shi-rong, professor of Biotechnology Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and member of Safety Committee of Agricultural Biotechnology, China Ministry of Agriculture, Professor Yang Shang-fa, Academician of Academia Sinica and US Academy of Sciences and former deputy president of Academia Sinica, Professor Shaw Jei-fu, director of Institute of Botany at Academia Sinica, Professor Sun Sai-ming, chairman of the Department of Biology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Lam Hon-ming, deputy director of University Grant Council Area of Excellence on Plant and Fungal Biotechnology Research Centre, Professor Wong Yuk-shan, vice-president of City University of Hong Kong and academics from the Chinese University, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Hong Kong Baptist University.

The joint declaration stated that scientists from the cross strait areas will pay concerted effort in promoting the development of agricultural biotechnology.  Co-signed scientists believe that recombinant DNA technology can be applied to improve agriculture, healthcare and the environment, especially for the developing countries.  The joint declaration also expressed that the risks of any food are determined by their biological characteristics, not by the DNA recombination employed in their development.  Co-signed scientists supported science-based investigations, assessment, and responsible regulation to address the concerns over food and environmental safety issues of agricultural biotechnology.  The joint declaration provided a direction for research and applications of agricultural biotechnology in the future, and enhance the development of agricultural biotechnology in the cross strait areas.

At the press briefing, five Chinese scientists addressed to the social concerns raised about agricultural technology and its products. Professor Yang Shang-fa introduced the potential applications of agricultural biotechnology worldwide; Professor Zhang Qi-fa talked about the importance of agricultural technology to China; Professor Jia Shi-rong discussed the safety issues of agricultural biotechnology and Professor Shaw Jei-fu explained the application prospects and safety issues of agricultural biotechnology in Taiwan.