Xing Wang Deng

Director of Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences

Director of the Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences in Weifang

As the sun and moon move forward, a new year brings fresh beginnings. At this beautiful moment of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, on behalf of the Institute and Provincial Laboratory, I extend my sincerest New Year wishes to all staff members, as well as to all friends from various sectors of society who care about and support the development of the Institute and Provincial Laboratory.

The year 2024, marked by the dragon’s mighty strides, is full of significance. It is a year filled with the passion of hard work, the hardships of exploration, and the joy of harvest. From the beginning of the year to its end, from the laboratory to the fields, we have united as one and forged ahead with determination. The Institute and Provincial Laboratory, for which we strive, are thriving and full of vitality!

This year, in the land of Shandong, full of hope and energy, I have spent 294 fulfilling and unforgettable days. What I have seen and felt is the Institute and Provincial Laboratory making great strides in entering the fast lane of development, with a significant leap in their innovation resources, scientific achievements, and regional influence.

This year, we witnessed the approval of the establishment of the postdoctoral research workstation at the Institute, the approval of the Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory for Precision Molecular Breeding of Crops, and the registration of the Provincial Laboratory as a unit for supporting the National Natural Science Foundation. A series of cutting-edge research achievements emerged, including the discovery of the watermelon telomere-to-telomere super-pangenome, the novel mechanism of plant photomorphogenic signal transduction, and the T2T gap-free genome of tobacco, all of which were published in top international academic journals such as Nature Genetics, Cell, and Nature Plants.

This year, Institute and Provincial Laboratory adhered to the development philosophy of prioritizing talent development, focusing on innovation output, and emphasizing science and technology services. We have achieved remarkable success: publishing 149 high-level academic papers, initiating 33 provincial and above research projects, obtaining 20 new patents, applying for 17 new plant variety rights, and realizing the transformation of 11 technological achievements. We have also hosted and organized 12 large-scale academic conferences and engaged in deep industry-university-research collaborations with over 50 universities, research institutions, and enterprises both domestically and internationally.

Looking back at 2024, we have sailed through challenges with determination and perseverance. Looking ahead to 2025, we will continue to strive for excellence. Standing at a new starting point, we will continue to focus on strengthening agriculture, improving agricultural science, and advancing the modernization of agriculture. We will strengthen frontier basic research and key core technology breakthroughs, improve the level of technology transformation, and enhance technical service efficiency, making new and greater contributions to building a strong agricultural country.

As the fireworks rise toward the stars, may all your wishes come true. I wish you all health, happiness, smooth work, and abundant achievements in the new year!