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Renowned physicist, Nobel Prize laureate in Physics, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University professor, and honorary dean of Tsinghua University’s Institute for Advanced Study, passed away in Beijing on October 18, 2025, at the age of 103. A series of images commemorating this century-spanning physics giant. The photo shows September 9, 2019, in Beijing, during the opening of the first bilateral symposium jointly held by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the German National Academy of Sciences, where Nobel laureate delivered the keynote speech.

Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize is an international award established by the will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite, in 1895. It is awarded annually in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences to individuals and organizations who have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.

Chinese Academy of Sciences

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is China’s national academy for the natural sciences and the nation’s leading scientific research and development center. It was founded in Beijing in 1949, shortly after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, to advance the country’s scientific and technological capabilities. Today, it oversees a vast network of research institutes, universities, and facilities, driving innovation in fields from space science to biotechnology.

Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University is a prestigious public research university in Beijing, China, founded in 1911 with American Boxer Rebellion indemnity funds. It was originally established as a preparatory school for students sent to study in the United States. Today, it is renowned as a leading institution for science, engineering, and technology, consistently ranking among the top universities in Asia.

Institute for Advanced Study

The Institute for Advanced Study, founded in 1930 in Princeton, New Jersey, is an independent center for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry. It is renowned for providing a haven for scholars to pursue fundamental questions without teaching obligations, with its most famous early member being Albert Einstein. Its founding mission was to advance knowledge and nurture some of the world’s most gifted researchers across the sciences and humanities.

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China and a historic city that served as the seat of power for several imperial dynasties, including the Ming and Qing. It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, exemplified by iconic sites like the Forbidden City, a vast imperial palace complex from the 15th century, and the Great Wall, an ancient defensive structure. Today, Beijing is a major global metropolis that blends ancient traditions with modern development.

German National Academy of Sciences

The German National Academy of Sciences, known as the Leopoldina, is one of the oldest academies of science in the world, founded in 1652. Based in Halle (Saale), Germany, it operates as an independent, interdisciplinary society of esteemed scientists. Its primary mission is to provide science-based policy advice to both the public and governments on pressing contemporary issues.

bilateral symposium

A bilateral symposium is not a physical place or cultural site, but an event where experts from two countries convene to discuss and exchange knowledge on shared topics of interest. These meetings are designed to foster international collaboration, diplomacy, and mutual understanding in fields such as science, technology, or policy. Their history is rooted in post-World War II diplomacy, where such forums became a standard tool for building strategic partnerships between nations.

keynote speech

A keynote speech is not a physical place or cultural site, but a significant presentation that opens a conference or event. Its purpose is to set the central theme, unify the audience, and inspire attendees. The term originates from the musical concept of a “keynote,” which is the foundational note that establishes the harmonic tone for a piece of music.