The International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS 2025) kicked off on July 13 at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, bringing together over a thousand brilliant minds from around the world. Among them are four Fields Medalists, three Nobel laureates, and two Turing Award winners, making this event a true gathering of science legends!
Initiated in 2023 by renowned mathematician and Congress Chairman Shing-Tung Yau, ICBS aims to spotlight breakthroughs in basic science and inspire the next generation. This year’s theme, “Focusing on Basic Science, Leading the Future of Humanity,” sets the stage for a two-week journey of discovery and innovation.
One of the highlights of the opening ceremony was the presentation of the Basic Science Lifetime Achievement Award, China’s first international award in basic science. This prestigious honor was bestowed upon six giants in their fields: Nobel laureates Samuel Chao Chung Ting, Steven Chu, and David Gross; Turing Award winner Robert Tarjan; Fields Medalist Shigefumi Mori; and Wolf Prize winner George Lusztig.
When 89-year-old physicist Samuel Chao Chung Ting received his award, the audience erupted in applause. In his speech, he emphasized that “experiments are fundamental to the progress of knowledge,” sharing his journey from confirming that electrons have no measurable size to leading cosmic ray experiments on the International Space Station. A touching moment came when Song Songlin, a high school student from Xi’an, presented him with a hand-painted portrait, symbolizing the convergence of youthful passion and scientific wisdom.
At a subsequent media meeting, the award-winning scientists shared their insights. Professor Shigefumi Mori, visiting the Chinese mainland for the first time, praised the rapid development of mathematics in the country. He discussed his groundbreaking work extending minimal model theory to three dimensions, paving new paths in algebraic geometry. George Lusztig reflected on his first visit in 1987, marveling at the incredible transformations over the past three decades. He highlighted how his background in topology led to pioneering achievements in representation theory, with his concept of canonical bases for quantum groups still influencing the field today.
Physicist David Gross spoke about the discovery of “asymptotic freedom” in 1973, which laid the foundation for quantum chromodynamics. He expressed excitement about current explorations beyond the Standard Model, suggesting that particle physics is on the cusp of new breakthroughs. Samuel Ting revealed that his team’s experiments on the International Space Station have made unexpected discoveries that challenge existing theories, hinting at the need for a new theoretical framework—a revelation that sparked lively discussions among attendees.
In the realm of information science and engineering, Nobel laureate Steven Chu captivated the audience not only with his achievements in laser cooling technology but also with his innovative ideas in energy science, such as the “glucose economy.” He called for strengthening international cooperation in clean energy initiatives. Meanwhile, Turing Award winner Robert Tarjan shared his excitement for graph theory algorithms. His development of the strongly connected components algorithm and the Fibonacci heap data structure remain fundamental tools in computer science.
The Congress also recognized recent outstanding achievements with the Frontiers of Science Award. A total of 118 exceptional papers were honored, covering 40 research areas in mathematics, physics, information science, and engineering. Scholars from 13 institutions on the Chinese mainland, including Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, received 17 awards. Global AI leaders like OpenAI and Meta’s FAIR team were also acknowledged, showcasing the deep integration of basic research and technological innovation.
In his inspiring speech, Chairman Shing-Tung Yau highlighted recent breakthroughs in basic science, from advances in the 3D Kakeya conjecture to new progress on Hilbert’s sixth problem and remarkable achievements in AI-driven mathematical reasoning. He emphasized that we are entering “an era driven by both theoretical breakthroughs and technological innovation.” Yau expressed that the mission of ICBS is to build an open and inclusive platform that fosters collaboration among global scientists to tackle shared challenges like understanding the origins of the universe, quantum gravity, and AI ethics.
Over the next two weeks, Huairou Science City will buzz with excitement as it hosts more than 500 academic conferences on topics ranging from new developments in algebraic topology to the frontiers of quantum field theory and the latest in generative AI. Special events like “Mathematics Night” and “Physics Night” aim to promote interdisciplinary exchange, while initiatives such as “Face-to-Face with Scientists” and “Tsinghua Day” offer young scholars invaluable opportunities to learn from the masters.
As Shing-Tung Yau aptly put it, every breakthrough in basic science is a treasure for all humanity. This summer’s scientific extravaganza is nurturing the seeds of ideas that could shape our future.
