From May 26 to 31, 2024, at the invitation of the European Materials Research Society (E-MRS), Academician Bingbo Wei, President of the China Materials Research Society (C-MRS), led a delegation to visit the European Materials Research Society in Strasbourg, France, to participate in the Spring Meeting 2024. The delegation included key members such as President Bingbo Wei, Professor Guangxian Li as Supervisor General, Professor Zengzhi Zhang as Secretary General, Professor Yuanhua Lin as Executive Director, Professor Chao Zhao as Deputy Secretary General, Professor Guilei Wang from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with co-chairs of joint sessions with E-MRS: Academician Huiming Cheng, Professor Hongjie Luo, Professor Jiatao Zhang, and Professor Hongzheng Chen, among other experts. E-MRS accorded great importance to the visit of the C-MRS delegation. Founder and Secretary-General of E-MRS, Professor Paul Siffert, Chairman Tony Kenyon, former Chairman Joan Ramon Morante, Vice-Chairmen Franck Tessier, and Giuseppina Padeletti, all attended and accompanied the delegation throughout. The C-MRS delegation engaged in a series of in-depth cooperative activities with E-MRS, establishing deep-level cooperation and setting mutual development goals and work plans. This visit laid a solid foundation for promoting high-quality cooperation in the materials science field between China and Europe.

At the E-MRS 2024 Spring Meeting, President Bingbo Wei was a keynote speaker, while Vice Chairman Li Guangxian co-chaired the opening and closing ceremonies alongside other chairs. C-MRS and E-MRS collaborated to organize six symposia: Advancing sustainable organic photovoltaics: from experiments and materials to applications and device models; Nanomaterials for healthcare and biomedical engineering; Synthesis, processing and characterization of nanoscale multi-functional oxide films X and 8th E-MRS & MRS-J bilateral symposium; Controlling liquid-surface interactions with material engineering; Cultural heritage and materials science: unveiling the past, inspiring the future; and Synthesis, physical properties, and applications of advanced nanocrystalline materials. C-MRS invited over 150 Chinese delegates, facilitating cooperation and exchange within the European materials community. Chinese representatives found significant benefits and positive outcomes from their participation in the European Spring Meeting.

  The C-MRS delegation arrived in France on the evening of May 26th and commenced a crucial visit spanning several days. On the morning of May 27th, President Bingbo Wei organized a meeting for the main members of the delegation. They further discussed the primary work plan and exchange strategies for this visit in accordance with the E-MRS schedule. Detailed collaboration details were clarified, and specific implementation steps were established regarding areas of cooperation with E-MRS.

On the afternoon of May 27th, C-MRS and E-MRS convened a bilateral cooperation meeting. Present at this meeting were President Bingbo Wei, Chairman Li Guangxian, Secretary-General Zhang Zengzhi, Executive Director Lin Yuanhua, Deputy Secretary-General Zhao Chao, and Professor Wang Guilei from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences representing C-MRS. From E-MRS, attendees included President Tony Kenyon, Vice Presidents Franck Tessier and Giuseppina Padeletti.During the meeting, President Bingbo Wei proposed establishing a long-term cooperation platform between C-MRS and E-MRS, outlining specific collaboration plans. Chairman Li Guangxian presented ideas regarding cooperation between C-MRS and E-MRS in the international materials community and jointly advancing the development of the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS), representing C-MRS.Both proposals sparked enthusiastic discussions among representatives from C-MRS and E-MRS, who unanimously recognized the significant role that both organizations play in the global advancement of new materials. Attendees expressed strong support and agreement on the proposed collaborations. Ultimately, consensus was reached on the specific directions and steps for cooperation, laying a solid foundation for future mutual development.

On May 28th, representatives from C-MRS and E-MRS engaged in in-depth discussions regarding the aforementioned series of cooperation details. Under the guidance of Chairman Li Guangxian, they reviewed the implementation status of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed during the January 2024 China-Europe Meeting in Beijing. Secretary-General Sanjay Mathur of the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) also attended the meeting, offering positive perspectives and constructive suggestions on the prospects of cooperation.

Both parties reviewed completed collaborative tasks in 2024, including the successful organization of the E-MRS 2024 Spring Meeting. For the upcoming C-MRS China Materials Conference 2024 scheduled in July in Guangzhou, E-MRS extended support and assistance. President Tony Kenyon of E-MRS served as co-chairman of this conference, with former President Joan Ramon Morante delivering a keynote address. Additionally, E-MRS appointed five experts as joint session chairs to collaborate with Chinese counterparts in organizing five Sino-European sessions, further promoting bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the materials field.

Looking ahead to 2025, both sides committed to collaboration in several key areas. This includes joint efforts in the World Materials Summit, thematic series conferences on specialty materials, organizing the Young Scientists Summer School, and hosting the E-MRS 2025 Spring and Autumn Meetings, as well as preparations for the C-MRS China Materials Conference 2025. Furthermore, discussions on further collaboration in academic journal publishing aim to achieve greater sharing and cooperation in the field of scientific research publications.

On the morning of May 29th, Mr. Pan Yumin, Consul-General of China in Strasbourg, warmly received members of the C-MRS delegation and held a meeting with President Bingbo Wei of C-MRS. During the meeting, President Wei first introduced Mr. Pan Yumin to the development history and future plans of the Chinese Materials Research Society, emphasizing efforts to strengthen international cooperation and establish China as a leading academic hub. His report received high praise from Consul-General Pan Yumin.

Consul-General Pan Yumin expressed full recognition of C-MRS's significant role in international materials science exchanges. He underscored the crucial importance of international scientific cooperation in promoting global technological development and advancing human societal progress. Consul-General Pan Yumin also pledged strong support for C-MRS's endeavors, committing to facilitate C-MRS's cooperation and development in Europe. The Chinese Consulate-General in Strasbourg will actively collaborate with C-MRS to conduct more international exchange activities, providing broader platforms and deeper cooperation opportunities for the development of China's materials science community.

On the afternoon of May 29th, during the plenary session of the E-MRS Spring Meeting, C-MRS presented Professor Paul Siffert, the founder and secretary-general of E-MRS, with the "C-MRS International Cooperation Award." This inaugural award is specifically designated by C-MRS to honor distinguished experts or scholars who have made outstanding contributions to promoting the development and collaboration of Chinese materials science on the international stage.

The award ceremony was chaired by Professor Li Guangxian, Chairman of the Board of C-MRS. President Bingbo Wei, Academician of C-MRS, introduced Professor Paul Siffert's lifelong dedication to fostering cooperation between the Chinese and European materials communities, highlighting his remarkable contributions in this regard. This award underscores C-MRS's profound commitment to international collaboration and serves as an expression of admiration and respect for Professor Paul Siffert.

Consul-General Pan Yumin personally presented the award trophy, while Professor Zhang Zengzhi, Secretary-General of C-MRS, conferred the award certificate. During the ceremony, Professor Siffert expressed sincere gratitude for this honor and reflected on his previous honorary directorship conferred last year, emphasizing the importance he places on such recognition. He expressed his hope that under his continued efforts, cooperation in the field of materials science between China and Europe will further strengthen and develop. Professor Siffert pledged to continue dedicating himself to advancing cooperation in the field of materials science between China and Europe, striving tirelessly towards this goal.

Following this, President Bingbo Wei, on behalf of C-MRS, delivered a keynote address titled "Recent Progress in Space Materials Sciences" during the plenary session. He elaborated on the latest advancements in China's space materials science, emphasizing how the unique physical and chemical conditions of outer space provide an exceptional environment for designing, researching, and applying advanced materials. Thanks to the ongoing achievements of manned space missions, global researchers have extensively explored this field, conducting ground simulations and payload experiments.

President Wei's insightful presentation captivated a large audience, drawing considerable attention and filling the venue to capacity. His clear and engaging explanations sparked intense interest among attendees, many of whom were inspired by his passion for space materials science. At the conclusion of his speech, the entire audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.

C-MRS and E-MRS share a collaborative history spanning two decades, achieving significant milestones in promoting international materials science exchange and cooperation. Notably, in May 2023, a C-MRS delegation was invited to attend E-MRS's 40th anniversary celebration and Spring Meeting. Discussions between the two organizations delved into society development, advancements in materials science and technology, among other topics. C-MRS also conferred the title of Honorary Director upon Professor Paul Siffert, Secretary-General of E-MRS, symbolizing the deep friendship between the two entities.

In January 2024, the inaugural China-Europe Materials Conference was hosted at the Beijing Hotel, where C-MRS and E-MRS engaged in extensive cooperative discussions. They explored global demands in new materials development and strategic cooperation, culminating in the signing of a long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the establishment of a new collaboration framework.

Through intensive visits and exchanges facilitated by the China-Europe Materials Research Society, both sides have further deepened the breadth and depth of their bilateral cooperation, expanding collaborative areas and achieving shared goals and consensus. This visit once again demonstrated their firm commitment to enhancing cooperation and advancing international materials science. Moving forward, C-MRS and E-MRS will continue working together to explore frontiers and innovations in materials science, contributing further to the prosperity and development of the international materials science community.