Over 1,000 scientists, scholars, and students from across the globe converged at Beijing's China National Convention Center this week for the 2025 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS). The two-week event, featuring Nobel laureates, Fields medalists, and Turing Award winners, aims to accelerate breakthroughs in mathematics, physics, and information science that could redefine humanity's technological trajectory.
Six scientific luminaries – including MIT's Samuel C. C. Ting and Stanford's Steven Chu – received the prestigious Basic Science Lifetime Award for their transformative contributions. Fields medalist Shing-Tung Yau, ICBS president and event founder, opened the congress by highlighting recent advances in quantum computing and geometric analysis that "could spark civilization-scale innovations."
"Basic science isn't just about equations – it's the foundation upon which societies build their future," Yau told attendees from 60+ countries. The Harvard professor emphasized that global collaboration has become critical as challenges like climate change and AI ethics demand interdisciplinary solutions.
The congress features 500+ sessions exploring frontier topics from dark matter research to biocomputing architectures. Notable presentations include Turing Award winner Andrew Chi-Chih Yao's work on quantum cryptography and a panel discussion about AI-driven materials discovery featuring three Nobel physics laureates.
First launched in 2023 under Yau's leadership, the annual ICBS continues to bridge theoretical research and practical applications while maintaining its founding vision: "Advancing Science for Humanity." This year's satellite conferences will specifically address sustainable energy solutions and ethical AI frameworks – key priorities for Asian markets and global investors alike.
