Renowned computer scientist and Turing Award recipient Robert Tarjan has hailed China's long-term strategy on promoting basic science, highlighting China's competitive advantages in propelling the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
Tarjan was in Beijing for the two-week-long 2025 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) which concluded on Friday, aiming to explore the frontiers of fundamental research. At the congress, six preeminent scientists, including Tarjan, were honored with the 2025 Basic Science Lifetime Award, the highest distinction in fundamental science to celebrate a scientist's enduring impact on the field.
In an exclusive interview with the China Central Television (CCTV) which was released on Friday, he spoke highly of China's long-term support for basic research as the country has experienced explosive surge in AI development, especially in recent years with the emergence of startups.
"I think not just in AI, but in basic science across the board, China has decided to make this a priority, a long-run priority, and I think it's very impressive. Actually, the progress so far is incredible. I look forward to seeing much more in the future," Tarjan said.
He also listed China's competitive advantages in promoting the development of AI.
"Consistent long-term support, a very strong education system in STEM subjects, plenty of eager young students who are interested in these things," he said.
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has outlined a comprehensive vision for building China into a strong nation in science and technology by 2035, urging further intensified efforts in scientific and technological innovation to seize the high ground in technological competition and future development.
"It's incredibly significant. I just hope in the process, basic science plays an important long-term role and that has to be part of this whole endeavor. And I think that it is actually as represented by the support for this conference and for your organizations in Beijing that do basic science research," Tarjan said.
The congress gathered hundreds of global experts, students and scholars in the fields of mathematics, physics, information science and engineering, including four Fields Medalists, three Nobel Laureates, and two Turing Award winners.
Turing award laureate hails China's long-term strategy on basic science
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for enhanced bilateral cooperation and friendship with Singapore when he met with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Monday.
Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the long-term and stable development of China-Singapore relations has benefited from the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, who have upheld the correct political direction.
The two sides should continue to enhance mutual trust, respect each other's core interests, and ensure the steady and sustained progress of their friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.
Gan said that Singapore highly values its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China principle, opposes the secessionist forces in Taiwan, and is willing to maintain close exchanges with China at all levels to promote greater development of bilateral relations.
Ding and Gan co-chaired four China-Singapore mechanism meetings on bilateral cooperation, namely, the 21st meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 26th meeting of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council, the 17th meeting of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council, and the ninth meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council.
They comprehensively reviewed and summarized the progress of practical cooperation between the two countries, clarifying the direction and priorities for cooperation in the next stage.
Both sides agreed to deepen the alignment of development plans, promote the upgrading of major projects, cultivate and strengthen new quality productive forces, jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, and better promote the development of both countries and the prosperity and stability of the region.
Following the meetings, Ding and Gan witnessed together the exhibition of achievements in China-Singapore cooperation, and attended the launching ceremony of two freight trains under the China-Singapore Multi-modal Demonstration Project. They also visited the comprehensive exhibition hall of China-Singapore interconnectivity projects and Chongqing digital city operation and governance center.
At the invitation of Ding, Gan is on a visit to China from December 15 to 16.
Chinese vice premier calls for enhanced cooperation with Singapore
