A group of distinguished academicians, inlcuding ZHANG Shougong and LIU Shirong, from the Chinese Academy of Forestry and the Chinese Academy of Engineering conducted an extensive survey of the Northeast Forests in the Changbai Mountains. They were accompanied by forestry experts at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE).

During the week-long trip, the academicians visited various forest sites (including the Changbai Mountain Forest Ecosystem National Field Observation and Research Station and the Qingyuan Forest Ecosystem National Field Observation and Research Station), examined scientific observation facilities, and learned about IAE’s latest research. They were particularly impressed by IAE's work in areas such as forest carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and the development of new technologies for forest management.

The academicians provided strategic recommendations for IAE’s future development, including establishing ecosystem models, integrating digital technologies, and promoting climate-smart forestry.They also discussed the potential of biochar industrialization and ecological hydrology monitoring.

The academicians also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between IAE, the Chinese Academy of Forestry, and other research institutions in order to address the challenges facing China's forests, including climate change and deforestation.