On November 4, 2025, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and French National Centre for Scientific Research, co-organized the Science Day in Huairou Science City of northern Beijing. (Image by CAS)

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) convened a joint Science Day in Beijing’s Huairou Science City on November 4, to strengthen collaborative ties, particularly in the realm of large research infrastructure.

The event celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the CNRS China Office and brought together approximately 300 leading scientists, research institute managers, and government representatives from both China and France.

Prior to the Science Day event, CAS President HOU Jianguo and CNRS President Antoine Petit met to discuss future collaboration strategies, emphasizing the importance of making full use of large research facilities for joint scientific endeavors.

DING Chibiao, CAS Vice President, highlighted the two countries’ robust scientific and technological cooperation in his opening remarks at the event, emphasizing CNRS’s role as a key global partner of CAS. He noted the two institutions’ extensive co-publication record, exceeding 1,000 papers annually, and their strengthened collaboration in critical fields.

The two sides have jointly carried out a number of major scientific projects, further strengthening cooperation in key areas such as particle physics, fundamental mathematics, applied mathematics, biodiversity, chemistry, open science, and marine science.

CNRS President Petit, reflecting on the nearly 50-year history of collaboration between the two institutions, praised their significant achievements to date. He also called for increased open access to large research facilities and expanded exchange programs for young scientists in order to foster the next generation of scientific leaders.

During the event, both Chinese and French scientists visited the France-themed exhibition of the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) and the “Women’s Power in the World of Science” exhibition, as well as key Huairou Science City sites, thereby laying a foundation for future cooperation, especially in joint construction and sharing of facilities, collaborative research, and talent cultivation.

CAS and CNRS have jointly carried out a number of major scientific projects in key areas. (Image by CAS)