Dr. David Blank, a CAS Visiting Professor for the President’s International Fellowship Initiatives(PIFI) working at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award for his contribution to the promotion of XIEG’s research capability in the management of desert ecosystem and wildlife in the arid area of Central Asia and scientific cooperation between China and Central Asia countries on Sep. 30 in Beijing. 

Dr. Blank was born in Kazakhstan. He began to work on conservation biology of Ungulate and the management of desert ecosystem at XIEG since 2010 under CAS PIFI project. During the four years’ cooperation research, 33 papers and a one-million-word book Ecological Status and Conservation of Wildlife in Central Asia were published co-authored with Chinese partners. 

He has also translated about 30 Russian monographs into English, providing valuable materials on current wildlife resource distribution status in Central Asia. Further research on these materials will help preserve and restore wild life in this area. 

Dr. Blank is now working at the Kyrgyzstan Branch Center of CAS Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia. 

Established in 1991, The Chinese Government Friendship Award is given to foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's economic and social progress. Every year, 50 foreign experts are selected for the award. 

The award is sponsored by China’s State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. Fifty foreign experts from 18 countries won the award this year. 

David Blank was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship (Imaged by  XIEG)