The 2026 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) offers participants a platform to learn about the latest scientific achievements and to explore breakthroughs beyond their own specialties, according to guests at the event.
The congress, which opened in Beijing on Sunday, has drawn more than 1,000 participants, including scientists, researchers and young scholars from both China and abroad. It will run until August 21.
Frontier topics such as generative large-model reasoning, computer vision, human-computer interaction and quantum information will take center stage in the over 500 academic sessions during the two-week event, covering all branches and interdisciplinary directions of basic science.
Top international scientists have been invited to deliver lectures and share the latest breakthroughs in their respective fields.
"From fundamental research to applied and interdisciplinary fields, we track the most significant scientific achievements of the past five years and invite speakers accordingly. Artificial intelligence has made great contributions to many areas of science today, so we have also invited scholars working in AI. My hope is that this will help our young scholars build world-class scholarship," said Shing-Tung Yau, dean of Qiuzhen College at Tsinghua University and a Fields Medal laureate.
Claire Voisin, a distinguished French mathematician specializing in algebraic geometry and a senior researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research, said the congress offers a rare chance to explore beyond her own field.
"Usually I attend mainly specialized conferences in my area. So here it's an occasion, an opportunity to learn about different things, which is great, of course," said Voisin, a senior researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research.
Initiated by Shing-Tung Yau in 2023, ICBS is held annually with the theme "Advancing Science for Humanity".
Global researchers explore latest scientific achievements at Int'l Congress of Basic Science
China's film industry is entering a new era of global reach, with an increasing number of productions ranging from commercial blockbusters to indie arthouse titles crossing borders and gaining worldwide recognition.
This week, regional-dialect film "Dear You" officially hit big screens in Thailand and Indonesia. Directed by Lan Hongchun, a Chaoshan-region filmmaker from southern China's Guangdong Province, the movie touched audiences with its sincere, heartfelt storyline.
"I feel very touched. I feel very proud. I feel very proud of my grandparents. My grandparents are from Fujian," said Vincent, an Indonesian-Chinese viewer.
The film centers on "qiaopi", a unique form of correspondence that combined letters and remittances sent home by earlier generations of overseas Chinese in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Set against the distinct backdrop of Teochew Chinese culture, the narrative highlights the historic diaspora experience, capturing universal themes of displacement, nostalgia, and memories passed down through generations.
The story reached audiences in Indonesia with the help of local film distribution company PT. Prima Cinema Multimedia.
"PT. Prima decided to introduce 'Dear You' to Indonesia because we saw its huge market potential in China and several Asian markets. So when we saw the movie, we felt that it could have a positive impact," said Sasha, marketing manager of the company.
According to statistics from the National Film Administration, as of July 25, the overseas box office of the low-budget film has exceeded 80 million yuan (about 11.8 million U.S. dollars).
The global popularity of "Dear You" is not an isolated case. Chinese films have seen accelerated global expansion this year.
A Chinese animated film "All Wishes Come True," inspired by the legend of the Eight Immortals, will arrive in cinemas in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea on August 13. It will then open in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands the following day.
Industry experts noted that beyond traditional overseas markets such as North America, Chinese films have expanded into emerging markets in Africa and Eastern Europe in the first half of this year.
"In the first half of 2026, more than 20 Chinese films have been released overseas, representing growth compared to 2025. Films like 'Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert,' and 'Silent Awakening' debuted in over 200 theaters in North America, representing a remarkably high scale for individual Chinese film overseas releases," said Weng Yang, an associate professor at Beijing Film Academy.
Chinese films have also undergone a systematic upgrade in their overseas outreach pathways since the beginning of this year, with Chinese film and television institutions beginning to establish independent overseas distribution channels and networks.
"IP operation is no longer limited to one-time copyright sales of individual works. Instead, most new productions are planned with a global vision from the initial creative stage. This model greatly boosts the development of serial film works and realizes the sustainable release of long-term value," explained Huai Wei, Deputy Manager of China Film Co-production Corporation.
Chinese films reach new audiences worldwide
