The first International Conference of Basic Science will be held in Beijing from July 16 to 28,2023, with the theme of "Focusing on Basic Science and Leading the Future of Mankind". This is a top academic event in the field of international basic science, focusing on academic research and exchanges in the three basic science fields of mathematics, theoretical physics, theoretical computer, and information science.
In this issue of ICBS Talks, Academician Shing-Tung Yau, the president of the International Conference of Basic Science, explained the original intention and significance of establishing the International Conference of Basic Science, and his expectations for the future development of basic science in China.
Academician Shing-Tung Yau is full of confidence and expectation for the conference. He said that it is the first time in the history of science that so many world-class scholars have come to China to discuss knowledge. Among them, there are more than ten Nobel Prizes, Fields Prize, Turing Prize, nearly 80 top scholars with outstanding achievements in various fields, and a group of budding young scholars."I look forward to making contributions to the development of basic science in the world through such large-scale academic exchanges. We hope that internationally renowned scholars, especially those with outstanding achievements, will strengthen their understanding of China. At the same time, we hope that young scholars and students will actively communicate with world-class scholars, to set a clear goal.”
On the original purpose of founding the International Conference of Basic Sciences
Shing-Tung Yau: “China's basic science is a very important link. Basic science is the foundation of Chinese science and technology, and mathematics is especially the foundation of the whole basic science. Without a strong basic science, a country will never become a strong country in science and technology”.
“From a more ambitious perspective, we need to enhance the common people's interest in basic science. We need to promote China's exchanges with the most advanced overseas scholars, build world-class knowledge, and build a bridge for basic scientific knowledge. From this point on, from now on, we will build Beijing into an important place for the world's top basic science. Our main original intention is to attract the world's top talents to Beijing to communicate with each other and promote the growth of knowledge”.
On the significance of holding the International Conference of Basic Science
Shing-Tung Yau: “The most important thing is cohesion. We should gather the best mind in the world on the land of Beijing and sublimate it into first-class scientific progress. Through the cohesion of this conference, I think it will be very exciting for young people and domestic workers so that they can soon catch up with the world level. Because for the young people in China, if he does not know what the world's most advanced level is, their goals are more vague. But with this obvious goal, I think the Chinese people are very diligent and clear, and will soon reach this level. This is also an important significance of the Basic Science Conference, to let every young person see to what extent the most advanced scientific level was reached in the world at that time.”
On the view of the future development of basic science in China
Shing-Tung Yau: “In fact, basic science must have a lot of freedom. If I explain clearly how basic science goes today, if you follow it, you can not go out of my scope, this is not the goal of basic science. Basic science is often to study the mysteries of nature. I know that the mysteries of nature are limited, and we have to find infinite possibilities, which need to be explored by ourselves. But I know that we are looking for the truth of basic science, but we have the freedom to develop.”
On the expectations of the International Conference of Basic Science
Shing-Tung Yau: “I hope that young people can see the beauty of science, the truth of science, and I hope that they can pursue the highest honor. The honor of life is the beauty brought by truth and truth. One of the important reasons for holding this conference is also to change young people's aspirations so that the most important thing in life is not just for themselves, but also for academic reasons. Finding truth is a very important thing. This is what I expect to do.”
Translation-Gao Xudong
