From July 13-16, 2020, the 2020 UCAS Gravitational Wave Summer School held successfully. UNESCO International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) and Consortium of Gravitational Wave Detection Taiji Program in Space jointly sponsored this summer school.Due to the corona virus pandemic, the summer school was carried out on "cloud". All the teachers and students shared their opinions and research results through internet. Academician Yueliang Wu, (vice-president of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, director of ICTP-AP) academician Wenrui Hu (Institute of mechanics, CAS), and other 14 well-known experts from the ‘Taiji Consortium‘ conducted 16 wonderful lectures on the related research area of gravitational waves detection. Nearly 900 participants gathered online to explore the mysteries of gravitational waves and enjoy the charm of science.2020国科大优秀大学生引力波暑期学校成功举办由联合国教科文组织国际理论物理中心-亚太地区（ICTP-AP）和引力波探测太极联盟联合主办的2020中国科学院大学优秀大学生引力波暑期学校于2020年7月13-16日成功举办。中国科学院大学副校长、国际理论物理中心-亚太地区主任吴岳良院士，中科院力学所胡文瑞院士等14位来自‘太极联盟’的知名专家，围绕着引力波探测相关研究进行了16场精彩的系列讲座。四天时间里，有近九百人相聚“云端”，共话引力波的奥秘，体悟科学的乐趣。 暑期学校部分师生“云合影”受疫情影响，本次引力波暑期学校全程在“云端”进行，教师和学员均通过互联网进行线上互动。同时，充分利用互联网授课模式的优势，对外开放了暑期学校所有讲座，让更多人有机会接触到引力波探测领域的前沿知识。中国科学院院士、‘太极计划’总顾问胡文瑞先生为学员们带来了第一课：空间引力波探索。他为学员们生动的讲述了空间引力波探测发展的来龙去脉。国际理论物理中心-亚太地区主任、‘太极计划’首席科学家吴岳良院士为学员们讲述了‘太极计划’的发展历程，科学目标及技术路线。从放眼未来回归到引力波探测的历史长河，早在100年前，爱因斯坦就预言了引力波的存在，中科院理论物理研究所张元仲研究员详细讲述了相对论与引力波以及引力波的探测史。现在，我们也将成为这见证历史的一员。2015年，美国地面激光干涉引力波天文台（LIGO）首次在人类历史上直接探测到引力波的存在。王运永教授曾在在美国加州理工学院LIGO实验室从事引力波探测工作多年，对引力波探测有丰富的经验和先进的理念。此次暑期学校，他同罗子人研究员、刘河山研究员为学员们带来了空间引力波探测及其中的激光干涉相关知识。惯性传感器不仅在超高精度探测中应用，同时也在相对论基础科学、重力测量等领域都有广泛的应用。徐鹏教授向学员们介绍了它的工作原理和引力波探测器惯性基准，以及空间引力波探测中时间延迟干涉测量的相关知识。电推进和无拖曳控制技术在航天器轨道控制和姿态控制，确保卫星处于“超稳超静”状态中起到了至关重要的作用。贺建武研究员和章楚研究员就相关技术的工作原理和研究现状进行了讲解。在空间中组成卫星编队探测引力波对测量精度要求空前、各环节耦合性强、技术挑战极大。为确保卫星在太空中能够适应太空环境，顺利完成它的“使命”，全链路仿真是唯一能够快速发现任务潜在问题和风险，辅助研发和验证关键技术的有效方法。马晓珊研究员和强丽娥研究员针对空间引力波探测系统仿真技术为学员们带来了相关报告。LIGO自探测到引力波的存在以来，多次获得了黑洞合并的观测数据，韩文标研究员介绍了双黑洞并合引力波的基本原理和性质，曹周键研究员和金洪波研究员为同学们讲授了引力波数据处理与分析的相关知识。7月16日，暑期学校举行了闭幕仪式，邀请了技物所亓洪兴研究员和理论所优秀博士生刘畅作为导师和学生代表分享了自己的科研经历和心得体会。本次引力波暑期学校共有五位学员经专家考核脱颖而出，授予“2020国科大优秀大学生引力波暑期学校-优秀学员”称号，名单公布如下（按姓氏排序）：引力波暑期学校为年轻学子提供了一个接触国际学科前沿的平台，将吸引更多的有志青年投身到引力波探测相关研究中。期待他们未来能够成为“太极计划“”的一员，为中国空间引力波探测做出卓越贡献。
In the face of enormous challenges with the Covid-19 pandemic, research institutes around the world are finding ways to overcome the difficulties imposed by lockdown and social distancing.ICTP is meeting the challenge by increasing its offering of virtual seminars and colloquia and providing open source research and training resources. These services have been particularly appreciated by ICTP's partner institutes, regional centres of excellence in physics and mathematics located in Brazil, China, Mexico and Rwanda.Like ICTP, the partner institutes are closed, and all outreach activities such as seminars and workshops have been postponed indefinitely or cancelled. However, their willingness to carry on with research and supply quality learning opportunities is as strong as ever. In a series of recent interviews with ICTP, the heads of the partner institutes shared the strategies they are taking to keep their scientists connected. Technology plays a key role: partner institutes are organizing virtual lectures and are in the process of implementing remote research and distance learning courses. Some admit, though, that the local technology infrastructures are adding to the challenge of staying connected to the rest of the world.Nathan Berkovits, director of the ICTP-South American Institute for Fundamental Research (ICTP-SAIFR) in São Paulo, Brazil, says that many of their courses for graduate students are being held online and that most of the researchers meet regularly with other scientists or with students online through videoconference. Of the many activities that were usually taking place in the institute in São Paulo, several are now taking place online. For example, their weekly journal clubs in the four fields of string theory, particle physics, cosmology and complex systems, are now all happening through online meetings. “We also have an outreach program involving classes for high school students which are being taught online,” said Berkovits, adding, “One advantage is that we are attracting students from all over Brazil, and also from Portugal. So, we are hoping that our online activities will allow us to reach a larger audience than would be possible with activities that require physical presence.”Moreover, in June, two major events will happen online: a one-week workshop on string field theory and a two-week school on particle physics, organized jointly with ICTP.Zhang Min, coordinator of the ICTP-Asia Pacific (ICTP-AP) in Beijing, says that all of the institute’s activities have been cancelled or postponed until the emergency will start to subside, but that at the moment nothing is certain. Recently, China started to see a gradual reopening of activities and most scientists could go back to their offices or laboratories, but the academic courses are still conducted online. However, many concerns for the future of the institute’s research remain. “The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health emergency,” says Zhang. “COVID-19 is not just altering everyday life; it’s also upending normal research. As universities and institutes across the country go virtual, researchers are scrambling to protect their funding and their careers. Although theoretical research is practically less affected, international cooperation and face-to-face exchanges would be interrupted for a long time.”ICTP’s partner institute in Mexico, the Mesoamerican Center for Theoretical Physics (MCTP), will start a programme of online conferences in the near future. “Nowadays, a lot can be made from home,” says MCTP Director Luis Felipe Rodríguez Jorge, “but there is no substitute to personal interaction. We are starting to realize that this situation may last many months and it will significantly affect interaction with colleagues and research networks.”In Rwanda, the ICTP-East African Institute of Fundamental Research (EAIFR) has cancelled all planned meetings, workshops and conferences, as well as all the travels to or from other research centres. “Students have been directed to online instruction materials for different courses and we have lecturers following them in their progress,” says Director Omololu Akin-Ojo, “but some of them do not have good internet at home, and research has been hampered for them. Our main concern now is to try to facilitate these students to have an improved internet connection wherever they are, so that they can resume their work properly.”ICTP's new virtual seminars initiative has been warmly welcomed by all scientists in its partner institutes, as they see it as a wonderful opportunity to learn and follow up on science while far away and even in isolation, provided that technological limits are not too difficult to overcome. “ICTP has helped us by opening up their seminars to us over the Internet. We are grateful for this,” says Akin-Ojo.The institutes’ directors agree that while in lockdown at home, most people have more time for personal research and they are taking advantage of the possibility to access more publications, books or audio-visual materials from ICTP’s archives.“As one of the most successful international organizations, ICTP is doing very well in cultural transmission, management and activities,” says Zhang. “ICTP-AP would like to follow the ripe experience from ICTP to grow fast.”Berkovits is also turning to ICTP to cope with the current situation. “It would be great to learn from the experiences of ICTP Trieste,” says Berkovits. “Director Atish Dabholkar and other ICTP-Trieste faculty invited our faculty to a videoconference meeting a few weeks ago where we discussed possible joint online activities, some of which are already taking place.”Apart from the possibility to take part in online seminars and conferences, the availability of scientific papers is fundamental to keep track of research around the world, and therefore the theme of open access is an important consideration for all of the directors. “I was really impressed by the action taken by several journals to give open access to their material,” says Director Rodriguez Jorge. And his view is shared by ICTP-AP Director Zhang: “The present pandemic makes us further recognize the importance for promoting widespread awareness and boundary-breaking ideas. ICTP-AP would promote open access data and collaborative analysis for global scientists in right time.”Many other opportunities can arise from adversity, especially if research is involved. At SAIFR, a research group is actively working on mathematical models for epidemics. The group had organized a workshop at the beginning of March on Modelling of Infectious Diseases Dynamics. The organizer of this workshop, Roberto Kraenkel, is now the leader of a team which monitors the disease in São Paulo. At EAIFR, they are considering to undertake research on the photo-degradation of parts of the covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. “There is some indication that sunlight stops the functioning of the virus,” says Akin-Ojo, “and it would be interesting to know more.”It is clear that in times of crises, science builds communities and keeps people together. “The aspect of physics that has most impressed me is the willingness of researchers to sacrifice their time to give online lectures,” says Berkovits. “There is no monetary compensation, they do not get to travel to new places, and they do not even hear applause at the end of their presentation, which is much more difficult to prepare than an ordinary lecture. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of physicists accept invitations to give online lectures.”
On November 24, space gravitational wave detection Taiji consortium 2019 annual meeting held successfully at University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS). The UNESCO International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP), and Taiji consortium jointly sponsored this meeting. The conference focused on the research of gravitational wave physics and the detection technology. It has attracted active participation of more than 160 experts and scholars from 36 institutions to discuss the latest scientific results and future development of gravitational wave detection.Yanfen Wang (vice-president of UCAS), Wenrui Hu (chief scientific adviser of Taiji Programme, Institute of Mechanics CAS), Min Huang (deputy commissioner of Bureau of Frontier Science and Education CAS), Xiaolong Dong (deputy director of National Space Science Center CAS) and Zijie Li (deputy chief of Photoelectric and Universe Section of Bureau of Major R&D Programs CAS) on behalf of Yingjie-Yu commissioner attended the meeting and delivered speeches.Yanfen Wang, on behalf of UCAS, extended a sincere welcome to all the representatives and congratulated the convening of the 2019 Taiji consortium meeting. In her speech, she stressed that Taiji consortium is not only an important platform for all-round and multi-disciplinary scientific cooperation among academic institutions but also important support for the cultivation of innovative talents in related fields.In May 2017, Taiji working group initiated and founded the ‘Taiji Consortium’ on the International Symposium on Space Gravitational Wave Detection. As an academic consortium, it brought experts in related fields together to carry out the research of gravitational wave space exploration.Taiji-01, the first satellite of Taiji programme, successfully launched into orbit on 31 August 2019. This means that the first step of the ‘three-step development’ strategy of ‘Taiji Program’ was initiated. The on-orbit test and data analysis results of Taiji-01 shows that:The first-stage in-orbit test showed that the accuracy of displacement measurement of the laser interferometer on Taiji-01 could reach a 100-picometer order of magnitude, equivalent to the size of an atom.The accuracy of the gravitational reference sensor on the satellite reached ten billionths of the magnitude of the earth's gravitational acceleration, equivalent to the acceleration produced by an ant pushing the Taiji-01 satellite.The thrust resolution of the micro-thruster on the satellite reached a scale equivalent to one-ten thousandth of the weight of a sesame grain.Taiji-01 Achieved: China’s highest accuracy of spatial laser interferometry. China’s first on-orbit drag free control technology test. Firstly and internationally on-orbit verification of micro-newton level radio frequency ion propulsion technology and dual mode hall-effect micro thruster technology.As the chief scientist of Taiji programme, professor Yueliang Wu, vice-president of UCAS, director of ICTP-AP, made a scientific interpretation of gravitational wave detection, and reported the progress of the orbit test of Taiji-01.Professor Jianyu Wang, president of Shanghai Branch of CAS and chief engineer of Taiji-01 project, reported and summarized the Taiji-01 satellite project.Professor Ronggen Cai, deputy director of the Institute of Theoretical Physics CAS introduced the relevant knowledge of gravitational waves and the significance of exploring gravitational waves from the perspective of fundamental physics research.Professor Weidou Ni from the National Astronomical Observatories CAS introduced his views on the future planning of the world's gravitational wave exploration and the discussion of the Taiji space gravitational wave detection mission.32 experts and scholars from 21 scientific institutions made academic reports on the relevant research of Taiji programme. This annual meeting provides a platform for cooperation and communication among members of Taiji consortium. It promotes in-depth exploration of scientific connotation and improves the influence of Taiji plan. Moreover, it also promotes interdisciplinary integration and the achievement of China's goal of space gravitational wave detection.
On 20 September, the Chinese Academy of Sciences held a regular press conference, announcing that the first phase of the on-orbit test of the launched satellite of Taiji Program in Space has been successfully completed. At the conference, Xianglibin, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), officially named the satellite "Taiji-01".Prof. Bin Xiang-LiWith the efforts of all the members of Taiji-01, it only took one year for the development and launch of the satellite. The satellite successfully launched into orbit on 31 August 2019. This means that the first step of the ‘three-step development’ strategy of ‘Taiji Program’ was initiated.Taiji-01 Launched SuccessfullyIn Taiji-01 project, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) is responsible for overall management of the science mission system and development of the micro hall-effect thruster system.Prof. Yue-Liang WuDuring the press conference, the chief scientist of ‘Taiji’ program, vice president of UCAS, director of International Centre of Theoretical Physics-Asia Pacific (ICTP-AP), Yue-Liang Wu interpreted the on-orbit test and data analysis results of the first phase of Taiji-01. The results show that: The measurement accuracy of laser interferometer reaches 100 pm. The measurement accuracy of gravitational reference sensor reaches a billionth . The thrust resolution ratio of micro thruster reaches sub-scale.Taiji-01 Achieved: China’s highest accuracy of spatial laser interferometry. China’s first on-orbit drag free control technology test. Firstly and internationally on-orbit verification of micro-newton level radio frequency ion propulsion technology and dual mode hall-effect micro thruster technology. Professor Wu introduced that, in 1916, Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves based on general relativity. It is a kind of matter wave generated by the violent movement and change of matter and energy. The research on gravitational waves will provide a new important window for observing the universe and promote humans understanding of the unknown world.Prof. Xiao-Long DongProf. Xiao-Long Dong, general manager of the project, introduced the development process, organization, and implementation of the Taiji-01 project. After that, Prof. Hua-Wang Li, introduced the platform and payload of the satellite system.Prof. Hua-Wang LiTaiji-01 has taken the first step in the exploration of space gravitational waves in China，and promoted the breakthrough of key technologies in the detection of space gravitational waves in China. ICTP-AP will also provide sustained support to the Taiji project and contribute to space gravitational waves detection.
From July 8-12, 2019, the first UCAS gravitational wave summer school held successfully at Yanqihu Campus. UNESCO International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) and Consortium of Gravitational Wave Detection Taiji Program in Space jointly sponsored this summer school.Secretary-General of Taiji Consortium, prof. Congfeng Qiao (College of Physics, UCAS) and member of KAGRA, prof. Hongbo Jin (National Astronomical Observatory), organized this summer school. The summer school invited seven experienced lecturers from domestic and aboard, they are: Antoine Klein (University of Birmingham, Member of LISA)Peng Xu (Lanzhou University, Member of ‘Taiji’)Wenbiao Han (Shanghai Astronomical Observator, Member of ‘Taiji’)Yueliang Wu (UCAS, Chief Scientist of ‘Taiji’ Project)Yunyong Wang (Institute of High Energy Physics, Member of LSC)Zhihui Du (Tsinghua University, Member of LSC)Zhoujian Cao (Beijing Normal University, Member of ‘Taiji’)A series of lectures of gravitational wave related studies were conducted in the next five days. Outstanding students from 14 universities and research institutes participated in this short-term training.Group photo of 2019 UCAS Gravitational Wave Summer SchoolTopics of the lectures were mainly focus on gravitational wave detection technology, gravitational wave source and data analysis and processing. Lecturers were introducing knowledge about gravitational waveAll the lecturers had working experience in gravitational wave research projects in different countries. At the beginning of the summer school, the chief scientist of ‘Taiji’ project, director of ICTP-AP, prof. Yueliang Wu shared the development, scientific objectives and research road of ‘Taiji’ project. In the next five days, experienced experts from ‘Taiji’ project introduced part of their mission in this project and shared their achievements in gravitational wave studies. Looking back to 2015, America, LIGO first directly detected the existence of gravitational waves in human history. The summer school invited two lecturers who worked in the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) team. They kindly passed on their rich experience and advanced thinking to the students. Moreover, LISA is the gravitational wave detection project from the European Space Agency. Specialist from LISA mainly focused on improving students’ understanding of waveform modeling for comparable-mass systems during the summer school. Prof. Klein performed guitar playing at the salon eventAn academic salon carried out during the summer school. In a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, students shared their research directions, discussed and exchanged their opinions of frontier and hot academic topics. On July 12, teachers issued certificates of completion for students.The ‘2019 gravitational wave summer school’ will help young talents in relevant research fields to have a better understanding of the frontiers of international disciplines. Furthermore, it plays a positive role in promoting the training of reserve talents. In the future, they may become members of the ‘Taiji’ project to contribute to the exploration of gravitational waves in space. Further Reading – ‘Taiji’ Program in SpaceThe Taiji program is proposed to detect GWs with frequencies covering the range of 0.1 mHz to 1.0 Hz with higher sensitivity around 0.01–1 Hz than eLISA (see Table 1). The Taiji program proposes to use a triangle of three spacecraft in orbit around the Sun (see Fig. 1). Laser beams are sent both ways between each pair of spacecraft, and the differences in the phase changes between the transmitted and received laser beams at each spacecraft are measured. The preliminary design for the Taiji mission is based on 3-million-kilometre separations between the spacecraft, and the expected launch date is about 2033. The purpose of the Taiji program is to study the most challenging issues concerning massive black holes, such as how the intermediate mass seed black holes were formed in the early universe, whether the dark matter could form a black hole, how seed black hole grows into a large or extremely large black holes and what is the nature of gravity.‘Taiji’ spacecraft in orbit around the sunAuthor: Fanzi Meng Min ZhangPhoto: Zhiping Shang Xinyue Zhang
On May 13, 2019, International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) officially announced its launch. In the following two days, the Frontiers of Fundamental Physics Conference successfully took place in Beijing. More than 130 experts from 9 countries participated in the two-day Conference, and 27 excellent academic reports were organized.On 13 May morning, Chen-Ning Yang (Nobel Laureate of Physics and Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences), Fernando Quevedo (Director of Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)), Poul H. Damgaard (Director of Niels Bohr International Academy), Xin-Cheng Xie (Deputy Director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China) and Yue-Liang Wu (Vice-President of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences) attended the opening ceremony of the conference and addressed speech.Chen-Ning Yang Addressed the Opening Ceremony Chen-Ning Yang recalled that, when Abdus Salam (Physicist from Pakistan, Nobel Laureate) proposed the idea of building ICTP, he was strongly opposed by some physicists in developed countries. However, Yang said, “over the years, ICTP made a great contribution to developments of science and technology in developing countries. To extend this contribution to cover the Asia-Pacific region now is a great wise ‘noble idea’”. After that, Yang showed a video, which he took and dubbed at ICTP headquarters for Dirac’s 70 birthday in Italy. Group Photo After the Opening Ceremony Before the symposium, on 12 May, the 1st Session of International Science Council (ISC) and the 2nd Session of International Governing Board (IGB) was successfully held. During the Science Council Meeting, delegates provided professional guidance to the ICTP-AP's medium and long-term scientific plan. Moreover, delegates shared their opinions on the employment strategy of scientists and visiting scientists. After that, the Governing Board Meeting discussed and approved the working report of the Centre.Group Photo of IGB & ISC Member The round table meeting was held as one of the ICTP-AP Kick-off activities on May 12. Leaders of well-known scientific research institutions from national and abroad attended this meeting. Delegates introduced the history, mission and vision, organization, latest research directions and achievements of their institutions. They suggested to build long-term mechanism and strengthen diversified cooperation in the future. Besides, institutions should provide excellent learning and research environment, more academic exchange activities to young talents, and make scientific research becoming the choice of more teenagers. Round Table MeetingICTP-AP proposal was put forward by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and was considered and adopted by the 38th UNESCO Conference. On 13 May 2017, Chun-Li Bai, President of the CAS, and Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UNESCO, signed the agreement regarding the establishment of ICTP-AP in Beijing, on behalf of Chinese Government and UNESCO respectively. On 4 Nov. 2018, the unveiling ceremony of the Centre took place in Beijing. ICTP-AP is a category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation China (NSFC) and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, Trieste). It is the first UNESCO category 2 basic science center in China. ICTP-AP will develop outreach activities in cooperation with national and international institutions, providing an international platform and enhancing collaborative networks among scientists from different countries in and out of the region.
The International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) was recently established in Beijing, China, as a category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation China (NSFC) and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, Trieste). ICTP-AP operates in affiliation to the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and is an ICTP partner Institute.The main goal of ICTP-AP is to perform top level research in several areas of science and promote scientific excellence throughout the world with emphasis in Asia-Pacific region.As ICTP-AP kick-off activity, the conference “Frontiers on Fundamental Physics”will span 2 days in Beijing, from May 13 to May 14, 2019. It covers topics in fundamental physics with the objective to enable scholars working in related areas to meet on a single platform and exchange new ideas.Main Topics Include:Quantum Field Theory & Particle Physics Cosmology & Gravitational UniverseMathematical PhysicsInternational Advisory Committee:Rong-Geng Cai, (ITP-CAS, China)Quevedo Fernando (ICTP, Italy)Andrew Strominger (Harvard Univ.,USA)Yue-Liang Wu (ICTP-AP/UCAS, ITP-CAS, China)Organizing Committee:Bo-Feng (Zhejiang Univ.)Cai-Dian Lu (IHEP-CAS )Zong-Guo Si (Shandong Univ.)Qing Wang (Tsinghua Univ. )Shou-Hua Zhu (Peking Univ.)Yu-Feng Zhou (ITP-CAS) * (contact person)Sponsors:University of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Theoretical Physics, CASInternational Centre for Theoretical Physics
On Nov. 4 2018, The First General Assembly of the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) in the Belt and Road Region, and the second International Science Forum of Scientific Organizations in the Belt and Road Initiative, was held in Beijing.That afternoon, the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) hosted the fourth branch with the theme of “Science and Education”.Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) President Chun-Li Bai, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO Flavia Schlegel, deputy director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Rui-Ping Gao, director of International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) Fernando Quevedo attended the meeting. The meeting was host by director of CAS’s international bureau Jing-Hua Cao.The conference held the signing ceremony of the agreement between the Chinese Academy of Sciences and UNESCO. Meanwhile, the unveiling ceremony of International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asian-Pacific (ICTP-AP) was hold as well.The International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) is a category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation China (NSFC) and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, Trieste). It is the first UNESCO category 2 basic science center in China in the area of basic science of UNESCO. ICTP-AP will operate as a branch center of ICTP in the Asia-Pacific region. ICTP-AP will develop outreach activities in cooperation with national and international institutions, providing an international forum and enhancing collaborative networks among scientists from different countries in and out of the region. Moreover, ICTP-AP will provide opportunities for advanced education, training and research in the area of basic physics.
The Signing Ceremony of International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) was held in Beijing Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on May 13, 2017.Prof. Chun-Li Bai, President of the CAS, and Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), signed the Agreement regarding the Establishment of ICTP-AP as a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in Beijing, on behalf of the Chinese Government and the UNESCO respectively.Ms Irina Bokova was invited by the Chinese government to take part in the “Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation“. Chun-Li Bai thank her to take time to attend the signing ceremony in a very tight schedule. Chun-Li Bai briefly introduced the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and CAS achievements in scientific and technological support for “the Belt and Road initiative”. Chun-Li Bai mentioned, more than 400 young students from developing countries came to UCAS to study for a degree by CAS-TWAS scholarship. Chun-Li Bai said CAS would fully support the establishment and development of ICTP-AP.Ms Irina Bokova said, she just finished some activities organized by the Chinese government and discussed the big cooperative plan with China after she arrived in Beijing. She believes, the establishment of ICTP-AP will be an important project and it will be a good opportunity to promote scientific development and South-South cooperation because basic science is one of the inalienable parts for the United Nations 2030 development plan and sustainable development goals.Prof. Yue-Liang Wu, Vice President of the UCAS, Prof. Fernando Quevedo, Director of ICTP, Mr Dian-Wen Cao, Vice Director of Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS, together with Representative of UNESCO China National Committee and Beijing Office, witnessed the signing process.ICTP-AP proposal was submitted by CAS, and adopted by 38th General Conference of UNESCO. ICTP-AP will be planed to co-construct by CAS, NSFC and ICTP (UNESCO Category 1, Italy). It will be the first centre (UNESCO Category 2) in basic science in China, and also the second centre co-constructed by CAS and UNESCO. ICTP-AP will be set up in UCAS campus. Under the auspices of UNESCO, ICTP-AP will provide opportunities for advanced education, training and research in basic science such as frontiers of theoretical physics and the relevant interdisciplinary areas for scientists from Asia-Pacific region and other countries. ICTP-AP will develop outreach activities in cooperation with national and international institutions, providing an international forum and enhancing collaborative networks among scientists from different countries in and out of the region. ICTP-AP will develop and coordinate research-education-oriented advanced studies in theoretical physics and related interdisciplinary areas; ICTP-AP will aim to be a world-class research centre, training base for talents with global eye sights and international academic exchange centre.
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