The 20th Anniversary of the Rice Genome Publication & the Successful Conclusion of the Hani Terraced Fields "Dual Heritage" Bioverse Code Event

Twenty years ago, BGI published the "Working Draft Sequence of the Rice Genome" as a cover story in Science, one of the world’s top academic journals. For that issue, Science selected the stunning landscape of Luosi Terraces—a part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Hani Terraced Fields in Yuanyang—as its cover image. Two decades later, BGI has integrated its years of research achievements in rice breeding and health testing with the agricultural heritage and ethnic characteristics of the Yuanyang Hani Terraced Fields World Cultural Heritage Site. The goal is to build a World Rice Park that blends ethnic traits with scientific and technological core, creating a high-profile livelihood project with distinct features and prominent advantages.

From April 28 to 29, BGI and the People’s Government of Yuanyang County co-hosted the event marking the 20th Anniversary of the Rice Genome Publication and the "Dual Heritage" Wànwù Code Initiative. This event officially launched the preparation work for Yuanyang’s "World Terrace Rice Park". Zhang Zhe, Secretary of the County Party Committee, attended the ceremony; Mu Mingjun, Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee and candidate for County Mayor, presided over the event. Distinguished guests including Wang Jian, Co-founder and Chairman of BGI, and Liu Siqi, Co-founder and Supervisor of BGI, were also in attendance.

Launch Ceremony Venue

Speech by the Secretary of the Yuanyang County Party Committee

Speech by Teacher Wang

Forum Venue

   Zhang Zhe pointed out that Yuanyang County has made all-out efforts, fostered gains through hard work, and forged ahead with concrete actions. It has fully safeguarded the "lush mountains and clear waters" of the Hani Terraced Fields and preserved the "four-element integrated" ecosystem of the heritage site. Within the heritage area, infrastructure has been further improved, the environment has become more beautiful, transportation has become more accessible, people’s lives have been greatly enhanced, and their sense of happiness and fulfillment has been continuously strengthened. These achievements are attributed to the generous support and joint efforts of all sectors of society, as well as the hard work and persistent dedication of all cadres and residents of the county.

Standing at a new starting point, we will continue to uphold the philosophy of taking farming culture as the soul, beautiful countryside as the charm, ecological agriculture as the foundation, and ancient villages as the form. We will strive to build the Yuanyang Hani Terraced Fields World Cultural Heritage Site into a model in Honghe Prefecture for the practice and innovation base of the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets".

Kaiyangmen Festival

After the launch ceremony, the guests proceeded to Luosi Terraces in Panzhihua Township to watch the Kaiyangmen (Rice Transplanting Kick-off) Ritual and participate in the rice transplanting experience activity.

The ritual revived a series of traditional Hani farming practices, from plowing and harrowing the fields to carrying rice seedlings and transplanting them in the paddies. Meanwhile, time-honored Hani folk songs were performed live at the venue, showcasing the ancient customs of the local Hani ethnic group.

Signing Ceremony

During the forum, experts exchanged views on the research of rice genomes in the Hani Terraced Fields and the conservation of the Hani Terraced Fields. At the event, Shenzhen BGI Wànwù Technology Co., Ltd. signed three collaborative agreements with the County People’s Government, Yunnan University, and the Honghe Prefecture Academy of Agricultural Sciences, namely the Framework Agreement, the Cooperation Agreement for the Preparation of the World Terrace Rice Park, and the Cooperation Agreement for the Hani Terraced Fields Rice Cultivation Research and Perennial Rice Demonstration Center.

Interview with BGI Leadership

 It never occurred to us that we would return to this place 20 years later, taking photos in front of the small huts (field sheds) where rice seedlings are transplanted. It feels like a journey through time and space, and we are filled with emotion. What makes us even prouder is watching genomics technology evolve in the agricultural sector—from that single research paper published 20 years ago to the establishment of China National GeneBank, and now, 20 years later, building the World Terrace Rice Park right here. Together, we are ushering in a new golden age for rice.” said Du Yutao, Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Vice President of BGI.

To respond to the national call to uphold the red line of 12 million hectares of arable land, and to restore and reuse abandoned terraced fields, BGI plans to jointly build a Perennial Rice Cultivation Research and Demonstration Base in the Honghe Hani Terraced Fields, and a World Terrace Rice Park in Panzhihua Township, Yuanyang County, together with Yunnan University, Honghe Prefecture Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the People’s Government of Yuanyang County.

Wang Jian, Co-founder and Chairman of BGI, stated: “General Secretary emphasized the principle of storing grain in the land and storing grain in technology. What we are doing now is precisely storing grain in technology. We hope this cutting-edge scientific research will play a greater role in advancing agricultural development.