11th Int'l Grape Conference opens

The 11th International Conference on Grapevine Breeding and Genetics, known as the "Olympic Games of the international grape industry," kicked off in Beijing's Yanqing County on July 29.

A total of 350 researchers and experts from 34 countries and regions, including 21 well-established experts, will share their expertise on grapevine breeding and genetics during the five-day event.

The quadrennial conference features six invited presentations, 15 special presentations, one themed presentation, 80 oral presentations and 180 poster presentations.

Apart from academic activities, participants will be offered opportunities to taste quality grapes and wines, as well as touring the county that is home to the Badaling section of the Great Wall.

Other highlights include an international wine expo and opening of the international grape exhibition garden.

More than 500 well-known wineries from across the world will showcase their superb products during the wine expo held at Beijing Badaling International Exhibition Center between July 29 and 31.

The awards ceremony of the International Top Wine Challenge Contest will be held on the Great Wall Badaling Section on July 29, offering about 4,000 professional visitors a grand banquet of wine from across the world.

The international grape exhibition garden, the largest of its kind in China, covers a land area of about 201 ha. It brings together 1014 varieties of the best grapes from across the world, offering visitors great pickling fun. The park will open between July 25 and October 31.

The conference is the most influential platform for academic exchanges and cooperation among grape breeders, geneticists, researchers and businesses in the world.

It is the first time that the conference is held in China since its 1973 launch in Germany.

Yanqing, located in northwest Beijing, is one of the China's major quality grape producing areas.