#China #Beijing #Tsinghua University #Shing-Tung Yau #ICBS 2026

The International Congress of Basic Science 2026: A Gathering of Great Minds

On August 9, 2026, the International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS 2026) was officially inaugurated in Beijing, China. This significant event features the contributions of four renowned Fields Medalists: Shing-Tung Yau, Maxim Kontsevich, Martin Hairer, and Caucher Birkar. Alongside these distinguished figures is Robert Tarjan, an esteemed recipient of the Turing Award. The congress has drawn more than 80 laureates of notable prizes such as the Shaw Prize, the Wolf Prize, and the Dirac Medal, as well as approximately 400 prominent academics and over 800 researchers and students from more than 30 countries and regions.

During the opening ceremony, Li Luming, the president of Tsinghua University, extended a warm welcome to both Chinese and international scientists in attendance. He emphasized the crucial role that leading research institutions play in promoting foundational research amidst the advancements brought on by artificial intelligence (AI). In recent years, Tsinghua University has significantly ramped up its commitment to fundamental disciplines by increasing its investments, attracting globally recognized researchers, leveraging AI to expedite scientific discoveries, and enhancing its capabilities for nurturing new talent.

Looking ahead, Tsinghua aims to strengthen its innovative capacity, train the next generation of fundamental research talent, and continue expanding the frontiers of human knowledge and progress in civilization.

In his speech, President Yau highlighted China’s increasing support for fundamental research, notably through enhanced funding, political initiatives, talent development, and investments in research infrastructure. He noted that while AI can greatly accelerate mathematical reasoning and theorem demonstration, it does not replace human creativity and intuition. The pursuit of answers to yet-unknown questions remains an essential human endeavor, leading to major breakthroughs often born from interdisciplinary intersections and the willingness to explore uncharted territories.

The event also featured two significant awards: the ICBS Medal and the Frontiers of Science Awards. The inaugural ICBS Medal was awarded to nine distinguished scientists for their substantial contributions across mathematics, physics, and engineering. Notably, four of these awardees are women, showcasing the diverse contributions within the scientific community.

The Frontiers of Science Awards recognized 111 impactful original research articles from over 20 countries and regions, with 19 from researchers associated with 17 Chinese institutions. Among these, Tsinghua University contributed significantly, with five researchers involved in two of the highlighted articles, covering groundbreaking research areas such as geometric analysis, quantum theory, large AI models, and computer vision.

The ICBS 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark event in the landscape of scientific discourse, supported by an assembly of brilliant minds dedicated to pushing the boundaries of fundamental science. As the congress unfolds, it promises to be a foundational catalyst for fostering scientific inquiry and collaboration worldwide.

Conclusion

With the ICBS 2026 underway, the stage is set for deep discussions, collaborations, and innovative ideas aimed at comprehending and solving some of today’s most profound scientific challenges. The collaboration of distinguished scientists from various backgrounds underlines the importance of unity and shared purpose in advancing fundamental scientific research that will resonate for generations to come.