On May 30^th, 2007, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences (SIBS), held a ceremony for the opening of the h;Research Center for Insect Science (RCIS)h;. Senior Academician and internationally renowned entomologist Yin Wenying and Mr. Cao Yihua, the officer from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST), jointly presented the plaque of h;Research Center for Insect Sciencesh;. Prof. Kang Le, the head of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology division, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Prof. Feng Feng, vice director of the Biological Science division of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC); Mr. Zhou Wenneng, Director of the Division of Basic and Cooperative Research, MOST; Mr. Shi Qianghua, Director of the Basic Research Division, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (STCSM); Dr. Tang Bowei, vice Secretary of the Leading Party Group of SIBS, and Prof. Zhang Qingwen, the vice-chair of the Chinese Entomological Society, gave speeches in congratulations. Close to fifty leading entomology researchers and delegates from Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces participated in the opening ceremony. The ceremony event was chaired by vice-director and Principal investigator of Dr. Xue Hongwei, SIPPE.

Vice-president of CAS Shanghai Branch, Director of SIPPE and Academician Chen Xiaoya gave a description of the history and progress of SIPPE and the great significance of entomological research. He pointed out that the needs to increase collaborations with entomologists within and outside of China, strengthen our abilities to solve entomology-related major problems in agriculture and horticulture. He encouraged the researchers at the RCIS to make significant contributions to the overall level of entomological researches in China. He also hoped for synergistic and fruitful collaborations among plant sciences, microbiology and entomology within SIPPE for mutual support and progresses. Officer Cao Yihua pointed out in his speech that the opening of RCIS will have a major impact on research in entomology, and ecology and biological sciences research at large. He further stress that RCIS would recruit and mentor new researchers and make significant scientific discoveries to meet the need and expansion of the economy in China. Vice-secretary of SIBS Tang Bowei stated that SIPPE has already made significant progress in recruiting and mentoring, in grant applications and publications, as well as in public services to the city of Shanghai. He indicated that SIBS will continue to provide support to SIPPE. He wished a bright future of entomology researches. In congratulating the opening of RCIS, the officers from MOST, NSFC and STCSM have expressed their willingness to provide further support and wished RCIS would be even more successful in the future.

SIPPE has a long and productive history in entomological research, particularly in insect systematics, pathology, toxicology, chemical ecology and physiology. The entomology museum has also contributed to the country through educational services to the general public. During the past several years, SIPPE has mapped out a strategy to recruit internationally young investigators in areas ranging from functional genomics, insect physiology and biochemistry, developmental genetics, disease vectors, innate immunity, insect-environment interactions. At present, SIPPE has succeeded in building a highly collaborative and well-equipped environment. In order to accommodate the strategic economic needs and keep abreast in entomology researches, and to serve both the local and national developments, SIPPE has established the h;Research Center for Insect Sciencesh;. The Center will serve to promote mutual collaborations and team works. It will allow more efficient management of resources and strengthen scientific exchanges with other entomologists within and outside of China.

After the opening ceremony, Prof. Kang Le gave an excellent seminar entitled h;Tri-trophic interactions in chemical pathways: a case study from plant-leafminer-natural enemyh;.