Tsinghua University Co-Hosts 19th International Conference on Astroparticle and Underground Physics
The 19th International Conference on Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics was held in Xichang, Sichuan, from August 25 to 29. The event was co-hosted by Tsinghua University, Beijing Normal University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, representing the first time this conference was held in China since its inception in 1989.
Key Participants
Key participants included Cheng Jianping, director of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory; Wu Huaqiang, vice-president of Tsinghua University; and several academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, such as Zou Bingsong, Gao Yuanning, Luo Minxing, and Liu Ming. Additional attendees included Lu Songming, director of the Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Province, and Zhang Wenwang, governor of the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, along with other significant figures from local government and academic institutions.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
During the opening ceremony, Wu Huaqiang spoke about Tsinghua University’s commitment to advancing scientific and technological innovation. He highlighted recent achievements in fields such as condensed matter physics, quantum materials, and research pertaining to dark matter and neutrinos. His remarks included an acknowledgment of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory as a critical platform that facilitates the detection of rare events and precision experiments.
Wu emphasized the importance of international collaboration in understanding the universe and reaffirmed Tsinghua University’s dedication to partnering with global researchers to explore new scientific domains.
Conference Topics and Sessions
The conference addressed vital topics in fundamental physics, including neutrinos, dark matter, gravitational waves, and cosmic rays. It featured over 30 plenary lectures and more than 300 parallel sessions. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the Jinping Hydropower Station and the China Jinping Underground Laboratory.
Participation and Attendance
The event attracted over 500 scientists from more than 30 countries, including Nobel Laureates Takaaki Kajita and Arthur Bruce McDonald.
Source: Tsinghua University
