The University of Queensland (UQ) has hosted a delegation from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) for a three-day academic visit focused on strengthening collaboration in soil carbon science, climate‑smart agriculture, and sustainable land management.
The visit formed part of the Australia–China Soil Carbon Partnership, a two-year initiative supported by the National Foundation for Australia–China Relations (NFACR), which aims to advance joint research and knowledge exchange in soil carbon monitoring and environmental sustainability.
The program brought together researchers, government representatives, and international partners to explore future collaboration opportunities and builds on a reciprocal academic exchange in September–October 2025, when Australian researchers visited China.
The first day featured a high-level dialogue and academic symposium at UQ’s St Lucia campus, with representatives from UQ, UCAS, Queensland University of Technology, the Queensland Government, NFACR, and the Consulate‑General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane.
Discussions focused on soil carbon stability, ecosystem–climate interactions, and emerging technologies for monitoring soil organic carbon.
Dr Tong Li from UQ’s School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability said the visit underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges.
“Soil organic carbon is the largest terrestrial carbon pool and plays a critical role in both climate mitigation and sustainable agriculture,” Dr Li said.
“Strengthening scientific partnerships between Australia and China enables us to share expertise, develop innovative monitoring technologies, and work towards practical solutions for climate‑smart land management.”
The delegation also visited Griffith University for an academic exchange on interdisciplinary environmental research, before travelling to UQ’s Gatton campus to tour agricultural research facilities and field trial sites.
The Gatton visit showcased applied research in soil science and farming systems, and provided opportunities to discuss how soil carbon research can support climate resilience and sustainable agricultural production.
The visit highlights the growing role of international scientific collaboration in delivering practical climate solutions and strengthening long‑term research partnerships between Australia and China.
The Australia–China Soil Carbon Partnership aims to foster enduring collaboration between UQ, UCAS, and other leading research institutions, support knowledge exchange, and drive innovation in soil carbon monitoring and sustainable land management.
