Beijing, February 28 (Xinhua) -- On February 26, the Chinese Academy of Sciences launched the first issue of the 2022 "Basic Science" series of special sessions, in which a number of scientists from the fields of molecular biology, astronomy, cognitive science, water environment, atmospheric physics and other fields discussed the relationship between scientific research and application in combination with scientific research experience, and explained the fundamental and source role of basic science in scientific and technological innovation.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences Gezhi Dao Forum launched a series of special sessions on "Basic Science" in 2022. The picture shows Wang Yifang, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, giving a speech entitled "Understanding the Origin of Matter: Wonderful and Magical Elementary Particles" at the first special session of the "Basic Science" series of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. (Courtesy of the interviewee)
In 2021, the Chinese Academy of Sciences formulated the "Several Opinions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Strengthening Basic Research", the "Ten Articles of Basic Research", and introduced a series of new policies and measures to strengthen basic scientific research. The original intention of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Gezhi Dao Forum to launch the basic science special series is to improve the public's understanding of basic science.
In the roundtable dialogue session of the first special session of the "Basic Science" series of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, several scientists put forward sharp views. (Courtesy of the interviewee)
"For basic science, every discipline is important. Today's cold may become hot tomorrow, and today's hot may become cold tomorrow. Therefore, for China, our basic scientific research should develop in a balanced manner. The words of Wang Yifang, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, resonated with scientists at the scene.
"Phage research has been dormant for 30 years, and almost no one is willing to devote themselves to phage research, but it is because of the study of bacteria and phage interactions that gene editing, which is what we often call 'gene scissors'." Qian Wei, director and researcher of the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, gave an example of the significance of diversity in basic research, "so we call for investment in basic research to pay attention to diversity." ”
Wang Yifang said: "Basic science is the foundation of all science, the basis for us to 'know why it is', and the basis for all applications. If we can't have a deep understanding and understanding of basic science, and can't abstract out a higher theoretical system, then our application will not go far and will not go deep, let alone lead. ”
"In the mainland's research and experimental development investment in the whole society, the proportion of basic research investment is very small, about 1/3 of the proportion of developed countries. We should pay more attention to basic science and increase investment in basic science research and development. Wang Yifang said.