On May 17, 2006, Chinese Academician Prof Sun Honglie presented a speech on Tibetan Plateau study, thus addressed the issue of natural environment and regional development of the Plateau.

His speech was carried out in four aspects, namely importance of the Tibetan Plateau research, comprehensive expedition on the Plateau, evolution and diversion of its natural environment, and regional development of the Plateau. After approving the significance Chinese scientists have done to the Plateau research internationally, Prof Sun shared with the audience his concern about the regional development on the Plateau, viewing from resources, environment and development stratagem, development of key regions within the Tibetan Autonomous Region, as well as environment dealing and natural reserve.

In his final part of the speech, he proposed a general strategic principle in the Tibetan Plateau research, i.e., a) taking advantage of natural resources, and ecological and environmental features, to develop Tibetan-style ecological and environmental-friendly industry; b) to push hard on such public welfare as education, sci-tech, and medical treatment; and c）strengthen ecological protection and environmental construction, so as to realize the regional sustainable development.

Apart from the hosting units of the serial seminar as China’s Society of Tibetan Plateau Research, IGSNRR, ITPCAS, and Office of the National 973 Project on Tibetan Plateau Research, some other units as Peking University, Beijing Normal University, etc also sat in during the presentation. After the speech, the audience conducted probing discussions with Prof Sun on the travel resources on the Plateau as well as its mineral resources exploitation.