On November 26, 2023, taking advantage of the opportunity provided by the First World Energy Materials Conference, the president of the Chinese Materials Research Society (C-MRS) – President Wei Bingbo, Supervisor General Li Guangxuan, and Secretary-General Zhang Zengzhi – met with Deputy President Madoka Takai and Professor Jia Junjun of the Materials Research Society of Japan (MRS-J) in Shenzhen for a cooperation exchange meeting. The meeting was hosted by President Wei Bingbo.

First, both materials research societies introduced their respective attendees and provided an overview of their organizations. Following this, they discussed potential collaborations in the field of materials research. Supervisor General Li Guangxuan presented a proposal for cooperation, to which Professor Madoka Takai offered suggestions. After extensive discussion and exchange, both sides gained a better understanding of each other, strengthened their friendship, and reached a preliminary cooperation agreement:

1. Academic Conferences: Both parties will collaborate in organizing academic conferences, such as co-hosting events and inviting each other’s experts to participate and deliver keynote speeches.
2. Summer Schools: A summer school program will be established to provide opportunities for young talents to engage in academic exchanges.
3. Addressing Global Challenges: Participation in discussions addressing global challenges such as climate change, clean energy, and sustainable development, and proposing material solutions.
4. Asian Materials Research Collaboration Mechanism: To strengthen cooperation and sharing among Asian countries in materials research, a collaborative mechanism will be established.

Finally, the meeting discussed existing issues within the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) and proposed suggestions for future reforms. The cooperation agreement is planned to be signed during the bilateral meeting at the International Union of Materials Research Asia International Conference 2023, which will be held in Japan in December.

The cooperation exchange meeting proved to be productive, laying a solid foundation for future collaborations in the field of materials research between the two societies. This meeting contributes to the advancement of scientific cooperation between China and Japan in materials science, with high expectations for fruitful collaborations that will promote the development of materials science not only in China and Japan but also globally.