From 14 October to 18 October 2018, a 10-member delegation led by Prof. Cheng Shihua, Director General of China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI), attended the 5^th International Rice Congress held in Singapore. About 1400 delegates from 40 countries attended the congress coorganized by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).

During the congress, Prof. Cheng Shihua had bilateral talks with representatives from Corteva Agriscience™ of DowDuPont, BAYER (South East Aisa) Pte Ltd, National University of Singaporeand, etc. Specific consultations were conducted on future joint work in rice science and technology, laying a foundation for future multi-level cooperation.

On 16 October, Prof. Cheng Shihua attended the 22nd Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA) on behalf of China. During the council, extensive exchanges on rice science and technology cooperation were conducted among representatives from member countries and IRRI. Topics include germplasm resource exchange, ASEAN +3 Rice Breeding and Genetics Initiative, etc.

Dr. Guo Longbiao, Dr. Zhang Jian and Dr. Kou Yanjun gave oral presentations respectively entitled Insight of E.crus-galli genome into its invasiveness and interaction between weed and rice, NF-YB1-YC12-bHLH144 complex directly activates Wx to regulate grain quality in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are necessary for proper transition to necrotrophy in Rice Blast. Other delegates conducted academic exchanges with scientists from other countries through poster presentation.