On Friday 14 October FABI was honoured by a brief visit of Prof. Jianguo Hou, Vice Minister of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China. Prof. Hou , who is an well-known nanoscientist, was in South Africa to attend the China-South Africa Hi-Tech Exhibition that took part in Sandton last week (see articles below). Prof. Wilhelm de Beer welcomed the delegation of seven that included Chinese office-bearers and scientists, on behalf of FABI Director, Prof. Mike Wingfield , who coincidentally is visiting China this week. During the meeting the visitors were particularly interested in the strong links between FABI and China, specifically the CERC-FABI Tree Protection Programme (CFTPP) , that is an official cooperative venture programme between FABI and the China Eucalypt Research Centre (CERC) of the Chinese Academy of Forestry. This programme is led by an ex-FABI PhD student and current Extra-ordinary lecturer in FABI, Dr ShuaiFei Chen . Two Chinese students currently doing their PhD's in FABI, Runlei Chang and Jieqiong Li , were also provided the opportunity to explain to the visitors what their projects are about. More about the China-South Africa Hi-Tech Exhibition Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Tian Xuejun at the Opening Ceremony of China-South Africa Hi-Tech Exhibition Exhibition seeks to promote high-tech cooperation between South Africa and China SA looks to China to enhance innovation