The 2025 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) kicked off on July 13th at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. Four Fields Medalists, three Nobel Laureates, and two Turing Award winners, including Shing-Tung Yau and Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, and President of Tsinghua University Li Luming attended the congress. Six scientists—Samuel C. C. Ting, Steven Chu, David Gross, Robert Tarjan, Shigefumi Mori, and George Lusztig—were honored with the 2025 Basic Science Lifetime Award. The Congress also welcomed the prestigious recipients of the Shaw Prize, Wolf Prize, and Dirac Medal, along with more than 80 members of Chinese and international science academies, presidents, and delegates of mathematical societies from over ten countries, a total of nearly 1,000 experts, scholars, and students from research institutions, universities worldwide—together witnessing the opening of the event.
President of Tsinghua University Li Luming extended a warm welcome to scientists from around the world. He emphasized that the International Congress of Basic Science has evolved into a premier platform for global scientists to engage in dialogue and deepen collaboration. It also offers young researchers and university students with valuable opportunities to learn from outstanding peers worldwide, contributing wisdom and strength to the sustained progress and flourishing of basic science. Tsinghua University will continue to support Professor Shing-Tung Yau’s efforts to advance basic science, and will work together with scientists from all countries to strengthen fundamental research, drive scientific and technological innovation, promote socio-economic development, and jointly create a better future for humanity.
ICBS President and Fields Medalist Professor Shing-Tung Yau highlighted recent breakthroughs in mathematics, physics, and information science. Yau hopes this Congress will establish an open and inclusive international platform for deeper academic exchange and collaboration, jointly advancing modern science and technology.
Six trailblazing scientists, the Basic Science Lifetime Award laureates took the stage and were presented with the prestigious awards. 89-year-old Samuel Ting, a pioneer in experimental physics, reflected on his 55-year career, he said “Experiments are of fundamental importance to the advancement of knowledge. " Professor Shigefumi Mori, attending the ICBS for the first time, expressed admiration for the tremendous development of Chinese mathematics.
The congress also conferred the Frontiers of Science Award (FSA). This year's awards recognized 118 outstanding papers in basic science, spanning three major categories: Mathematics (75 awards), Physics (16 awards), and Information Science & Engineering (27 awards). The award-winning authors come from universities, research institutions, and enterprises in over 20 countries and regions worldwide, including Fields Medal laureates, Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics winners, and numerous young talents. Authors from 13 Chinese institutions—including Tsinghua University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Fudan University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences—claimed 17 awards.
The ICBS was initiated by Shing-Tung Yau in 2023 and is held annually with the theme Advancing Science for Humanity. Over 500 sessions will cover mathematics, physics, and information science and engineering, with a focus on cutting-edge AI research, interdisciplinary innovation, and frontier theoretical breakthroughs. Beyond academic exchange, ICBS emphasized youth engagement through a diverse range of activities including Tsinghua Day special event on July 19th.
Editors: Li Han, JP
