Attendees of the first Donglu Astrophysics Forum pose for a photograph at Yunnan University. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

The first Donglu Astrophysics Forum was held at the newly-built Research Center for Astrophysics of Yunnan University (YNU) on April 1. 

More than 130 scholars from the National Astronomical Observatories of China, the Yunnan Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Purple Hills Observatory of CAS, Peking University, the University of Science and Technology of China, Sun Yat-Sen University, and Guangxi University attended the forum. 

YNU President Lin Wenxun delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, which was chaired by Zhang Li, vice-president of YNU. 

In his remarks, he said that Yunnan province is blessed with advantageous geography for facilitating the development of astronomy studies. 

Yunnan University's astronomy department has a long history, and the university has placed great emphasis on the discipline, Lin said. 

In 2017, YNU designated astronomy as one of five key disciplines to develop. Since then, YNU's astronomy department has been focusing on conducting international frontline research and training professionals with an international vision. 

Lin expressed hope that the experts in attendance would support the development of YNU's astronomy department. 

Bai Jinming, director of the Yunnan Astronomy Observatory of CAS, delivered a speech in which he said that the Yunnan Astronomy Observatory would work closely with YNU in training, scientific research, and building a scientific platform. 

The Donglu Forum on Astronomy is a regular event initiated by Liu Xiaowei, dean of YNU's Southwestern Institute for Astronomy Research. The annual forum was designed to promote the development of astronomy research at YNU and to strengthen collaborations with the international astronomy community.