On May 30, China Association for Science and Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology released the list of 2023 National Education Bases of Spirit of Scientists.147 institutions nationwide are on the list. The Cai Xitao Memorial Hall of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) is on the list, which is also the only one from Yunnan. 

Prof. Cai Xitao (1911.04-1981.03) was native to Dongyang, Zhejiang Province. In 1930, after studying at various institutions in Hangzhou and Shanghai, Cai Xitao entered Jingsheng Botanic Laboratory in Beijing. In 1932,  Mr. Cai was dispatched to Yunnan on a botanical expedition organized by the Fan Memorial Institute of Biology. He traveled through Yunnan, risked his life and conducted field survey and plant collection in the remote mountainous areas. During this expedition, he collected more than 21,000 specimens including 427 new species, which unveiled the mask of Yunnan Province as a “Plant Kingdom” and contributed significantly to the development of the plant science in Yunnan. Later on, Mr. Cai translated the book Origin of Cultivated Plants written by de Candolle into Chinese, together with Mr. Dejun Yu (Te-Tsun Yü), and published a series of research papers on the family Leguminosaceae, Rosaceae and the genus Amorphophallus plants. His early works enabled the Chinese botanical community to have better understandings about the origins of crops and served as invaluable references for the following studies till now. 

In 1938, Cai Xitao was appointed as director of Yunnan Agriculture and Forestry Plant Research Institute, which is the predecessor of Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB). In 1958, Prof. Cai Xitao led an 8-person group to Xishuangbanna to start the pioneering work of creating Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG). In 1959, XTBG came into being under his leadership. Mr. Cai made great contribution to the foundation of the botanical garden. His scientific spirit and noble personalities, his devotion to science will always be an inspiration for people of XTBG for generations. 

Cai Xitao Memorial Hall of XTBG recorded his life-long contribution to the botanical studies and development, highlighting the spirit of scientists and the spirit of the model of the times behind the stories. 

Up to now, a total of 287 bases, ranging from sci-tech museums, science parks, memorial halls and research institutes, were selected across the country to provide a one-stop experience of scientist spirit for the public. Featuring patriotism, innovation, truth-seeking, dedication, coordination and educating, scientist spirit is highlighted in these bases. 

 

 

Cai Xitao Memorial Hall