To promote exploration in cutting-edge areas of geosciences, encourage interdisciplinary integration and academic exchange, enhance the scientific literacy of young Chinese scholars,give full play to the leading role of the Department of Earth Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in China's earth science frontier and future innovation development, and expand the academic influence of Science China: Earth Sciences, the 8th Forum on Earth Science Frontiers (FESF) was successfully held on June 28 at the International Academic Lecture Hall of the Ninth Teaching Building, Chengdu University of Technology (CDUT). The forum was jointly hosted by the Academic Division of Geociences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Editorial Board of Science China: Earth Sciences, and co-organized by Chengdu University of Technology and Science China Press. Distinguished attendees included Academicians Zhu Rixiang, Zheng Yongfei, Guo Zhengtang, Pu Shilong, Xie Shucheng, and Zhu Min, as well as CDUT Party Secretary Liu Qingyou, President Xu Qiang, Vice Presidents Hou Mingcai and Zeng Guoqiang, and Party Committee Member Fang Ye. Nearly 200 researchers and young experts from across the country participated in the forum.
▲ Forum Venue
Liu Qingyou extended a warm greeting to the global geoscience communities that have longstanding dedication to frontier research and disciplinary innovation. He highlighted CDUT’s legacy as one of China’s earliest universities focused on geology and emphasized the university’s commitment to national strategic needs, high-level scientific research, and impactful academic achievements. He expressed confidence that under the guidance of the academicians and experts present, FESF would serve as a vital platform for academic dialogue and technological advancement in geosciences.
▲ Address by Liu Qingyou
Zhu Rixiang underscored that the core mission of FESF lies in identifying frontier challenges and inspiring young scholars to pursue uncharted directions. He stressed that China’s scientific development has reached a point where new research domains must be explored and encouraged young scientists to venture into unfamiliar territory and challenge conventional thinking. He pointed out that China has not yet fully realized its potential in producing original scientific achievements, largely due to habitual thinking and the tendency to remain in familiar research areas.
▲ Address by Zhu Rixiang
During the closing session, Zheng Yongfei delivered a summary. He expressed sincere appreciation for the high-level academic presentations by experts and scholars, and extended his gratitude to CDUT for its strong support in hosting the forum. He also elaborated on the challenges and opportunities facing Chinese academic journals and introduced the context and significance of the "Multiplication Plan," aimed at enhancing the academic influence and global competitiveness of domestic publications.
▲ Summary by Zheng Yongfei
At the forum, several keynote speeches were delivered, including: Zhu Min: "Evolution of Fish Diversity: Patterns and Processes"; Xu Qiang: "Theory and Practice of Landslide Early Warning and Forecasting"; Chen Ling: "Multiscale Spherical Structures on Mars"; Jiang Weiping: "Progress in Satellite Geodesy and Its Applications in Geociences"; Chen Huayong: "From Basic Science to Applied Basic Science: Reflections from Ore Deposit Studies"; Shen Bing: "Carbon Cycle Processes During Snowball Earth Glaciations"; Zhao Chuanfeng: "Arctic Amplification: Driving Mechanisms and Cloud Feedbacks"; Wang Ninglian: "Cryosphere Research from the Perspective of Earth System Interactions"; Li Xiaoyan: "Carbon and Water Cycling in Plateau Lake Basins"; Zhao Zhijun: "Biological Evolutionary Perspectives on the Origins of Agriculture"; Yang Shouye: "Seafloor Weathering and Anti-Weathering Processes"; Xue Xianghui: "Applications of Quantum Optics and Advanced Spectroscopy in Atmospheric Sensing."
▲ Guest speakers delivering keynote speeches
Launched by the Science China: Earth Sciences Editorial Board in 2013, the Forum has been jointly organized with the CAS Academic Division of Geociences since 2014. The forum has previously been held in various cities including Beijing (2013), Lanzhou (2014), Urumqi (2016), Harbin (2018), Guiyang (2020), Nanjing (2023), and Shenzhen (2024).
