Although I have been to China several times for academic visits over the last 30 years, this was my first time to come to Guangzhou. Supported by the FIFI program, in November 2023, I visited the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry (GIG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), CAS, in Guangzhou. The objective of this visit is to broaden the collaborations on multiple projects including simulating deep mantle processes by high-pressure apparatus, building a gas-mixing furnace at GIG, and developing XANES analytical methods in China. The high-temperature and high-pressure experimental research field is an important means of exploring the composition and structure of materials inside the Earth and other planets. It is also a distinctive research direction and a key development area in GIG. So far, GIG has established a high-temperature and high-pressure experimental research center, equipped with complete experimental equipment and a young research team which provide a concrete basis for our collaboration.

I talked with the scientists in GIG and was impressed by their broad research areas and passions. Their research areas include environmental science, planetary formation and evolution, and subduction zone processes. I'm interested in many aspects of each field. In addition, I'm also interested in the advanced analytical equipment there and plan to perform analyses with it in the future. GIG has an exceptional learning environment. The dedication and expertise of the staff have created an atmosphere conducive to study and research. The institute's commitment to excellence in the field of geochemistry is evident, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have experienced it firsthand. I also gave a talk at SCSIO. The SCSIO has access to seafloor samples, which is one of my current research interests. We may also collaborate on this topic in the future.

Furthermore, I also explored the city of Guangzhou through hiking. I really appreciate the beauty of its scenery and loved indulging in the delicious local cuisine. Guangzhou has proven to be a pleasant place, offering a delightful blend of cultural heritage and modernity.

In conclusion, my visit to Guangzhou supported by the PIFI program has been a fruitful and enriching experience. I had the opportunity to engage in extensive communication with the institute's staff, which will lead to potential collaborations in the near future. Overall, my visit to Guangzhou and the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry has been a valuable and rewarding experience. I am confident that the knowledge and connections I have gained will contribute significantly to further collaborations.