SWAT regional conference and training workshop in Guangzhou, China has been held successfully in July 24-30, 2011. As anticipated, all 71 trainees have been helped to solve their problems during various phases of operation after giving presentation by 11 trainers on the topic of WASWAC and its involvement with SWAT model (Samran Sombatpanit), Runoff evaluation of the Lam Ta Kong Basin from climate change with SWAT model (Winai Wangpimool), Assessing the effects of land use changes on soil erosion in Upper Pasak River Basin, Thailand (Jaruporn Tosang), Determining flash flood event using SWAT Model in Nam Kon watershed, Nan Province, Thailand (Venus Tuankrua), How the vegetations landscape pattern affects the non-point source pollutions (Ouyang Wei), Using SWAT model to address water-for-food issues in China: Lessons, gaps, and directions (Huang Feng), Application of SWAT model in Cầu sub-watershed, Bac Can province: Conceptual framework and proposed techniques (Nguyen Thi Hong), Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in Central Vietnam Using SWAT and Community Based Approach: Case Study in Vu Gia watershed, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (Nguyen Kim Loi), Hydrologic responses to landuse and climate changes of selected watersheds in the Philippines (Nathaniel Alibuyog), Mekong River Commission (MRC) use of SWAT models on a basin scale (Anthony Green) and GIS-based spatial regression and prediction (Yang Xiaoying).

The final meeting among persons on the boat on July 30 agreed that a social media network should be used, e.g. QQ, with interest in expanding the number of users quicker than in normal situation. Dr Huang Feng of China Agricultural University (CAU) in Beijing has volunteered to act as the network secretary and would run a website for the network at CAU. It was agreed that the key persons of this meeting and those that can be identified later would act as the focal points in various locations and all participants at this event become ‘founding members’ automatically. However, the chairman needs to be found by choosing among eminent scientists.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: NETWORKS IN OTHER COUNTRIES: Thailand has had its SWAT Network (using Facebook as its medium) since January 2011 after having agreed on it at the SWAT SEA II in Ho Chi Minh City (January 4-7, 2011). At this event, participants from the Philippines (Prof Nathaniel Alibuyog) and Vietnam (Dr Nguyen Kim Loi & Ms Nguyen Thi Hong) have agreed on setting up their SWAT network in respective countries by using Facebook for both countries. These four networks must can be worked closely together.