¡¡¡¡The Sino-German Symposium on Dynamics and Functions of Forests in China was held on 24-29 February, 2008 in Kunming, and was hosted by Kunming Institute of Botany, CAS, Center for Mountain Ecosystem Studies, World Agroforestry Center and University of Goettingen, Germany. More than 30 researchers attended. The fundamental objective of the symposium was to develop a proposal for a joint research project between Chinese and German researchers on specific topics relevant for the sustainable management of forest resources. The three main themes of the symposium were: 1£©managing forests for multiple products and services, with near-natural forestry and plantation forestry as two basic options, 2£©species selection under changing climatic conditions, 3£©forest management for non-timber forest products (NTFPs). A lead project committee was formed, with Prof. Yang Yongping and Prof. Christoph Kleinn as representatives. Sub-project groups were also created based on the different backgrounds and interests of the members.