2026 International Congress of Basic Science Opens in Beijing

The 2026 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) opened in Beijing on August 9 under the theme "Focusing on Basic Science, Leading the Future of Humanity." Bringing together more than 1,000 global scientists and scholars, the two-week gathering features over 500 academic sessions covering topics ranging from generative AI reasoning and computer vision to quantum information. Speeches by leading academics highlighted curiosity-driven research, the role of artificial intelligence in scientific discovery, and China's growing support for fundamental research.

Basic science serves as the foundation for technological breakthroughs. As artificial intelligence transforms research paradigms, the congress highlights fundamental developments across mathematics, physics, and interdisciplinary fields while examining how AI tools can complement human inspiration in addressing complex global challenges.

The 2026 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) opened in Beijing on August 9, convening more than 1,000 scientists, researchers, and students under the theme "Focusing on Basic Science, Leading the Future of Humanity." The two-week event includes more than 500 academic sessions covering foundational disciplines as well as cross-disciplinary frontiers such as generative model reasoning, computer vision, human-computer interaction, and quantum information, according to state media reports. During the opening ceremony, Congress President Shing-Tung Yau delivered an address emphasizing China's growing role in fundamental research, attributing the shift to sustained government support, infrastructure development, and talent acquisition. Yau also reflected on the integration of artificial intelligence into scientific inquiry, noting that while AI tools are providing valuable assistance in mathematical and physical research, original inspiration and the pursuit of truth remain uniquely human missions. The congress honored significant academic achievements across disciplines. Nine prominent scholars received basic science medals, including Claire Voisin, Hong-Zer Yau, Shou-Wu Zhang, Ruowei Liu, Yifang Wang, Xiaogang Wen, Zhenan Bao, Xiaowei Zhuang, and Feng Zhang. In addition, 111 high-level original papers across 40 subfields in mathematics, physics, and information science were awarded Frontiers of Science Awards, recognizing authors from over 20 countries and regions. In academic presentations, distinguished researchers reflected on the intrinsic value of curiosity-driven science. Harvard University Professor Xiaowei Zhuang noted that fundamental scientific inquiry often yields unexpected long-term benefits that cannot be predicted at the outset. Stanford University Professor Zhenan Bao echoed the sentiment, describing the excitement of discovery as a primary reward for scientific work. University of Pennsylvania Professor Ruowei Liu added that robust public support for basic research is especially vital in an era dominated by rapid technological discussion. To support middle-aged and young researchers, the conference also introduced the "ICBS Innovative Scholars" initiative, targeted at researchers working full-time in China. Yau pointed to recent milestones, including Chinese mathematicians Hong Wang and Yu Deng receiving Fields Medals in July 2026, as evidence of expanding opportunities for early-career scientists engaging in fundamental discovery.