Professor Tang is a Chinese plant pathologist and soil microbiologist of world repute. He passed out of Beijing Agricultural University with great distinction, has been influential in developing modern plant pathology in China, and is a leading advisor to the Chinese Government. His cooperation with Australian scientists since 1994 on soil micro-organisms, in plant protection and on post-harvest spoilage of melons has produced significant practical results, leading to commercial development of several antural products for crop growth enhancement and for biological control of plant diseases. Tang has also taught many student, and supervised at a PhD level, who are now distinguished pathologists themselves.