Beijing hosts International Congress of Basic Sciences ICBS 2026
Leading experts from around the world gathered in Beijing for the 2026 International Congress of Basic Sciences (ICBS), which opened on Sunday and showcases achievements in mathematics, physics, computer science and engineering, as well as other areas of basic science. When Fields Medal and Turing Award laureates gather in one hall, and the congress motto becomes "Advancing Science for the Benefit of Humanity", this is not just an academic meeting – it is a manifesto of a civilisation that believes in the power of knowledge. Beijing, turning into a global centre for basic science, hosts scientists whose names are written into the history of mathematics, physics and computer science. The new ICBS medal, awarded to nine outstanding researchers, and the presence of more than 80 of the world's leading minds, show that China is not just catching up with global science – it is creating its own platform for dialogue about humanity's future. Here, in the Chinese capital, they discuss not only formulas and theorems but also the very nature of truth and beauty, which, as the laureates note, invariably accompany genuine scientific discovery.
The congress, taking place from 9 to 21 August under the motto "Advancing Science for the Benefit of Humanity", established the ICBS Medal – a new award presented to nine outstanding researchers – and brought together Fields Medal and Turing Award winners, highlighting China's commitment to basic research and technological self‑reliance. The opening ceremony featured four Fields Medalists – Shing‑Tung Yau, Maxim Kontsevich, Martin Hairer and Kocher Birkar – alongside Turing Award laureate Robert Tarjan. The ICBS Medal was awarded to nine distinguished scientists: Claire Voisin, Horng‑Tzer Yau, Shouwu Zhang, Andrea J. Liu, Yifang Wang, Xiaogang Wen, Zhenan Bao, Xiaowei Zhuang and Feng Zhang. They were joined by a broad assembly of more than 80 leading scientists – including Shaw Prize, Wolf Prize and Dirac Medal laureates, as well as members of the national academies of China, the US and Europe – along with over 400 internationally renowned scientists and more than 800 researchers and young students from universities and institutes in more than 30 countries. The ICBS Medal is awarded for pioneering achievements in basic science. One side of the medal features the portrait of an outstanding scientist, while the other bears the motto "For Truth and Beauty", symbolising the pursuit of scientific truth and the beauty of understanding the universe. "We seek truth, and beauty is somehow given. We are particularly happy when what we do – the argument we use or the path we follow – incorporates some beauty," said Claire Voisin, recipient of the 2026 ICBS Emmy Noether Medal in mathematics.
The congress was initiated and chaired by world‑renowned mathematician Shing‑Tung Yau. The first Chinese Fields Medalist, Yau said that one of his greatest hopes is that Chinese students will one day be able to achieve the highest levels of academic excellence without studying abroad, as China transforms into a global centre for basic research. International participants praised the rapid development of China's academic and scientific research landscape, with some noting the strong performance of Chinese students at leading foreign universities. "I am very impressed. I think over the last 10‑15 years, the Chinese academic environment has really developed a lot, much more than in the Western world, I must say. In our curriculum, we have many Chinese students. And I must say they are among the best in the country, in the UK," said Oliver Buchmüller, a professor at Imperial College London and a senior researcher at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). The two‑week event will feature more than 500 academic sessions covering all areas of basic science and interdisciplinary fields, as well as cutting‑edge topics such as generative reasoning based on large models, computer vision, human‑computer interaction and quantum information. The congress will also include a wide range of activities, including high‑level dialogues with scientists, youth engagement programmes, and cultural and scientific exchanges.
Holding the ICBS in Beijing has become a landmark event, reflecting a shift in the global scientific paradigm. Over the past two decades, China has invested heavily in basic research, and today the country ranks second in the world in scientific publications and patents. However, as organisers stress, the congress's goal is not only to showcase achievements but also to create an international platform for addressing global challenges, from climate change to artificial intelligence. Notably, many young Chinese scientists are among the participants, indicating a generational shift in the academic environment. The medal's motto "For Truth and Beauty" echoes the ancient philosophical tradition where the pursuit of knowledge has always been linked to harmony. The success of the congress could serve as a stimulus for further strengthening international cooperation and enhancing China's role as a scientific power.
As CCTV+ reports, the 2026 International Congress of Basic Sciences in Beijing has become vivid evidence that China is confidently entering the ranks of world leaders in basic research, and the pursuit of truth and beauty continues to unite scientists regardless of nationality and state borders.
