From October 11 to 13, the Third National Conference on Tea Plant Biology, organized by the State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization of AAU, was held in Hefei, Anhui Province. More than 470 representatives from over 50 research institutes attended the meeting. At the same time, more than 100, 000 people were watching online. The conference was chaired by Prof. Xiaochun Wan, Prof. Tao Xia, and Prof. Renhua Jiang.

Mr Zhang Qing-liang, Chairman of CPC of Anhui Agricultural University, Mr Nie Zhong-sheng, Level II Bureau Rank Official from Department of Science and Technology, Mr Chu Chang-lian, Deputy Director from Department of Education of Anhui Province, Mr Jiang Ren-hua, Director of Tea Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, all presented on the opening ceremony, and delivered welcome speeches. The opening ceremony was presided over by Prof. Chaoling Wei, Executive Deputy Director of the Laboratory.

A total of 40 academic presentations were carried out in this conference. Among then, 8 plenary lectures were conducted by Han Bin a Member of CAS from Excellence Innovation Center for Molecular Plant Sciences, CAS, Chong Kang a Member of CAS from Institute of Botany, CAS, Yu Jingquan  a Member of CAS from Zhejiang University, Liu Zhonghua  a Member of CAE from Hunan Agriculture University, Liao Hong , Professor from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Qi Xiaoquan , Professor from Institute of Botany, CAS, Ruan Jianyun Professor from Tea Research Institute, CAAS, and Xiaochun Wan, Professor from Anhui Agriculture University, respectively. In addition, the conference also includes 21 Keynote lectures and 11 young scholar forums.

A total of 66 abstracts were included in the conference and 70 posters were displayed, covering the latest scientific research in genetics breeding, growth and development, secondary metabolic pathway, stress response and defense mechanisms of tea. The organizing committee also set up the Young Scholars Presentation Award and Excellent Posters Award. By expert judgement, one won the first place prize, three won the second place prize and seven won the third place prize for the Young Scholars Presentation Award, , and ten won the Excellent Poster Award.

After the meeting, the delegates visited the State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization of Anhui Agricultural University.