Plant diversity in Laos, and its strategic significance for building China-Laos community with a shared future for biodiversity

Laos is the first country to sign the bilateral cooperation document for construction of the community with a shared future with China. Over the years, Laos and China have established clear directions for cooperation in politics, economy, security, culture, and ecology, opening a new chapter in the development of China-Laos relations. At present, global environmental governance is facing severe challenges, and the biodiversity loss has become a major international issue of growing concern. Nevertheless, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development remain relatively limited. Laos shares a boarder with China and is characterized by complex natural environments with rich plant resource. Yet, the lack of coordination among plant diversity, conservation, and social development has seriously constrained the advancement of related disciplines. Therefore, the study systematically sorted out the current status and existing problems of plant diversity in Laos and proposed future perspectives. Further, it summarized the contributions made by Chinese scientists, especially the efforts of those from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute (CAS) on plant diversity in Laos. These include upcoming joint scientific expeditions, transboundary biodiversity conservation, talents cultivation programs, and the compilation of the Flora of Laos. Through continued collaboration and joint efforts between Chinese and Laotian scientists, plant diversity in Laos is expected to become a model for regional biodiversity cooperation in Southeast Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative. Such collaboration will further enhance China’s leadership in global biodiversity conservation and contribute Chinese wisdom and Chinese solution to build a China-Laos community with a shared future for biodiversity.