During October 10-11, 2005, symposium of environment and its changes on the Tibetan Plateau was held in Guilin, Guangxi Province. Jointly sponsored by the China Society on Tibet Plateau (CSTP), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP), Institute of Karst Geology within Ministry of Land and Resources P.R.C, Institute of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, and World Wide Fund for Nature, China (WWFChina), this symposium attracted hundreds of scholars and experts from research institutes, Chinese universities or relevant administrative departments in the government.

During the symposium, experts and scholars were divided into two groups, namely 1) background and processes of climate change and 2) ecological characteristics and biological construction, to give reports on relevant scientific studies, thus sharing in each other’s insight into the worthwhile issues in this research field. Ten outstanding scientific staff were also awarded the Prize for Young Scientific Staff Engaged in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Research. Among the winner were Chen Shiming, Lu Huaming, Xu Baiqing and etc. 

Chinese academician Prof Zheng Du presided over the symposium. At the opening ceremony, academician Prof Sun Honglie presented a speech, calling for more talented scientific staff interested in Tibetan Plateau to devote to this field.

After the symposium, some participants also tripped around Guilin for investigation of natural environment and social economy.