While most Chinese botanists focus on the country’s vast flora, a few have ventured beyond to study the plants of Africa. Wang Shengwei, a prominent figure in this group, has made significant contributions to understanding the plant life of East Africa.
Since beginning his doctoral research at the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2017, Wang has focused on the biodiversity and conservation of tropical East Africa. His thesis explored the complex distribution of plant species in the region.
Now 35 years old, Wang has spent years traveling to countries like Madagascar, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. He has collaborated with local universities and research institutes, participating in joint research expeditions for over 300 days across Africa.
In 2021, after completing his PhD, Wang returned to the Wuhan Botanical Garden, where he is now part of the plant diversity and evolution research group.
Wang’s work is closely linked to the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering Sino-African cooperation in biodiversity studies. The center, the first of its kind in Africa, also tackles important issues like wildlife protection, desertification prevention, climate change monitoring, and modern agricultural practices.
Wang’s research focuses on understanding the diversity of plants in East Africa. He is particularly interested in how plant species are distributed and why they thrive in certain areas. “We also focus on endangered and endemic plants, paying close attention to their distribution and protection,” Wang explained in an interview with *China Daily*.
One of his key contributions has been clarifying the distribution of the iconic baobab trees in Africa. His work has helped unravel the complex factors that shape the habitats of these remarkable trees.
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