The 2018 annual conference of the Chinese Astronomical Society opens at Yunnan University, on Oct 28. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

The 2018 annual conference of the Chinese Astronomical Society opened at Yunnan University (YNU), on Oct 28. 

Sponsored by the society, the academic conference was organized by Yunnan Observatory at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, YNU and the Yunnan Association for Science and Technology.

More than 900 academics from astronomical research institutes across the country attended the conference, including several academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, including Cui Xiangqun, Wu Xiangping and Han Zhanwen, with the aim of discussing the latest developments in the discipline and current research trends. 

Huang Xiaorong, deputy director of the General Office of the government of Yunnan province; Bai Jinming, president of Yunnan Observatory, and Zhang Li, vice-president of YNU, delivered opening remarks at the conference which was presided over by Yang Jian, secretary-general of the Chinese Astronomical Society. 

Speaking at the conference, Wu Xiangping, director of the 13th council of the Chinese Astronomical Society, argued that the strength of research mirrored the comprehensive strength of a country’s science and technology sector. 

It is vitally important to work with others to boost astronomical research, Wu said. He also urged young scholars to work hard to broaden the discipline. 

On behalf of Dong Hua, vice-governor of Yunnan province, Huang Xiaorong congratulated attendees on the opening of the conference, as well as offering a warm welcome to all scholars present. 

In his speech, he briefed attendees on the current projects of YNU and vowed that the government of Yunnan province would work to promote the development of astronomy throughout the province. 

YNU Vice-President Zhang Li spoke about the history of YNU. He expressed his hopes that more academics would join YNU to boost the development of the subject at the university. 

The conference lasted three days, with topics of discussion ranging from radio astronomy, fixed stars and the galaxy –– to the history of astronomy and the planets.

Chang Jin, researcher at the Purple Hills Observatory, is given “the 14th Zhang Yuzhe Award” by the Chinese Astronomical Society, Oct 28. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

An academic speaks during the annual conference of the Chinese Astronomical Society, Oct 28. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]