On September 1, 2026, the Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS (ICR‑CAAS) held a work promotion meeting, summarizing key progress and arranging follow‑up tasks. The meeting was chaired by Gao Lei, Director and Party Secretary.

The meeting called for thorough implementation of the “1‑3‑6‑9” development strategy:“1”: Target the positioning as China’s sole national strategic S&T force for cotton research.“3”: Build three research centers in Zhengzhou, Anyang and Xinjiang backed by national key platforms.“6”: Coordinate six research bases in Anyang, Zhengzhou, Anhui, Hainan, southern and northern Xinjiang.“9”: Give full play to nine discipline leaders to boost disciplinary development. This strategy guides the institute’s high‑quality development and supports national cotton industry security.

All staff were required to raise political awareness, implement major research project applications, the State Key Laboratory assessment and center construction. The institute will advance innovation and technology transfer, strengthen talent recruitment and development, and forestall safety hazards. Staff were urged to carry forward the ICR‑CAAS Spirit of “hard work, dedication, practice and innovation”, strive for annual goals and celebrate the institute’s 70th anniversary with solid achievements.

Deputy Directors Song Guoli and Fang Song, and Jia Jinlong, Deputy Director of the Western Research Center, reported on progress across field bases. The Science and Technology Management Office and Achievement Transformation Office updated innovation and commercialization plans. Discipline leaders including Yang Zuoren made commitment remarks.

Over 500 staff attended the meeting.