Tsinghua University Hosts the 2024 International Congress of Basic Science in Beijing
The 2024 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) opened in Beijing on July 14, bringing together leading scientists from around the world to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Under the theme of “Advancing Science for Humanity,” the Congress focuses on three branches of basic science: mathematics, theoretical physics, and theoretical computer and information sciences. Over the next two weeks, the event will feature over 500 academic reports and satellite meetings, aiming to share cutting-edge achievements in the field of basic science and envision the future development of fundamental research.
Chen Jiachang, a member of the leading Party members group of the Ministry of Science and Technology and vice-minister; Luo Hui, a member of the leading Party members group of the China Association for Science and Technology and director general of the Department of International Affairs of CAST; Jin Wei, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Beijing Municipal Committee and vice-mayor of the capital; Li Luming, deputy secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee and Tsinghua President; as well as Fields Medalist Shing-Tung Yau, attended the opening ceremony.
Four Fields Medal winners, including Edward Witten, Andrei Okounkov, Artur Avila and Caucher Birkar; three Turing Award winners, including Adi Shamir, Leslie Valiant and Andrew Chi-Chih Yao; Nobel Prize winner Eric Maskin; International Mathematical Union President Hiraku Nakajima; and more than 70 academicians from various countries attended the opening ceremony. Over 800 scientists and scholars from home and abroad attended the event.
In his address at the opening and award ceremonies of the 2024 ICBS, Tsinghua University President Li Luming said that the International Congress of Basic Science, initiated by Shing-Tung Yau, is a top-tier academic conference in the field of basic sciences held in China. It has established a world-class platform for academic exchange, garnering widespread attention and recognition from the international academic community. In recent years, Tsinghua has continually increased its investment in basic research, achieving significant results in the development of disciplines and talent cultivation in the fields of mathematics, physics, and information science. In the future, Tsinghua will continue to support Shing-Tung Yau’s efforts to promote the development of mathematics and basic sciences in China, striving to foster a strong foundation for future research, produce major original achievements, and expand international exchange and cooperation with a more open mindset and initiatives. Tsinghua aims to contribute its wisdom and strength to the development of basic sciences and the progress of human civilization globally.
Professor Shing-Tung Yau, president of the ICBS, stated, “Basic science is the cornerstone of humanity’s quest to explore the unknown, providing the fundamental theories and methods to understand natural phenomena and solve real-world problems.”
An integral part of the ICBS is the recognition of outstanding achievements within the scientific community through prestigious awards. The Basic Science Lifetime Awards (BSLA) honor individuals who have made significant contributions over the past 30 years, while the Frontiers of Science Award (FSA) acknowledges the best papers published within the last 10 years across forty-two subareas of mathematics, theoretical physics, and theoretical computer and information sciences.
Andrew Wiles, Richard Hamilton, Edward Witten, Alexei Kitaev, Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, and Leslie Valiant, six distinguished contemporary scientists, are winners of 2024 Basic Science Lifetime Awards.
The conference also awarded the Frontiers of Science Award. A total of 139 outstanding papers in the field of basic sciences, from universities, research institutions, and enterprises in more than 20 countries and regions, were selected. Among these, 88 were in the field of mathematics, 24 in theoretical physics, and 27 in theoretical computer and information sciences.
Fields Medalist and U.S. National Academy of Sciences member Edward Witten expressed his anticipation: “I look forward to my trip to Beijing and believe this will be an inspiring academic event. I am eager to hear the latest insights from scientists worldwide.”
Nobel Laureate in Economics and U.S. National Academy of Sciences member Eric Maskin said: “In these complex times, scientists must advance international exchange and cooperation. The International Congress of Basic Science will significantly promote global collaboration.”
Fields Medalist Andrei Okounkov, attending the congress for the second time, noted: “The conference proves that science knows no borders. I am impressed by China’s rapid progress in mathematics and find discussions with talented young Chinese scholars extremely beneficial.”
To inspire younger participants and foster interest in basic science research, a series of special events will take place: The “Evenings of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science” will feature roundtable forums and peak dialogues with multiple international award winners discussing scientific frontiers. The “Basic Science and Artificial Intelligence Forum” will focus on the latest advances in AI and explore its connections with basic science. The “Academic Poster Exhibition” for university and high school students will enable them to present their research to international scholars, fostering mutual learning and growth. The “Face-to-Face with Scientists” event will allow outstanding youth to engage with top scientists, gaining insights and discussing future research paths. During “Tsinghua Day,” numerous scientists will visit Tsinghua University to share their life experiences and wisdom with student representatives.
The 2024 ICBS is jointly funded and hosted by the Beijing Municipal People’s Government, the China Ministry of Science and Technology, the China Association for Science and Technology, and the International Consortium of Chinese Mathematicians. Co-organized by the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, the Management Committee of Zhongguancun Science Park, the Beijing Association for Science and Technology, the Beijing Huairou District People’s Government, the Management Committee of Beijing Huairou Science City, and the Yanqi Lake Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications (BIMSA), and supported by the Yau Mathematical Sciences Center, Tsinghua University.