Professor Guo Xiaolin, Minister-Counsellor for Science and Technology at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in France, congratulated the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) on the relocation of its headquarters to Beijing and on the steady progress made in the preparatory work. She spoke highly of the Chinese Materials Research Society (C-MRS) for its leading, exemplary, and driving role in global science and technology governance, noting in particular that C-MRS has been at the forefront among scientific societies in accurately grasping the overall national strategy and major policy directions.

She emphasized that this achievement represents China’s first successful case of hosting the headquarters of an international scientific organization at this level, and stands as a landmark accomplishment realized under the far-sighted leadership of professor Wei Bingbo and Academician Li Yuanyuan, and the Eighth Council of C-MRS. Guided by the principle of Party-building–led development, this milestone marks the first time China has undertaken the hosting of an international scientific and technological organization of such stature, signifying a substantial enhancement of China’s voice and influence in the global science and technology governance system.

Professor Guo further pointed out that the relocation of the IUMRS headquarters to China has received high-level attention and strong support from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and China’s overseas diplomatic missions. In line with the guiding principles of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, she called for strong support and encouragement for this major breakthrough in science and technology diplomacy. She stressed that the Party and the State place great importance on the substantive enhancement of China’s capacity in global science and technology governance. Relevant national departments and ministries will work jointly to introduce supportive and incentive policies in a timely manner, and the Ministry of Science and Technology will take the lead in coordinating solutions to any issues that may arise during the establishment and operation of the headquarters. Using this milestone as a model, China will continue to support and refine new models and norms of global scientific and technological cooperation, thereby providing comprehensive support for the development of a strong science and technology nation.

During the meeting, the two sides also held detailed discussions on specific forms of support and assistance from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and overseas diplomatic missions in the process of C-MRS operating and managing the IUMRS headquarters.

Finally, professor Wei Bingbo, President of the Chinese Materials Research Society (C-MRS), spoke highly of Professor Guo Xiaolin for her keen grasp of major national policy directions and for her strong support and assistance to this significant initiative of C-MRS. On behalf of the Society, he expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude.

He emphasized that, under the guidance of the China Association for Science and Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, C-MRS will actively fulfill its national responsibilities and commitments, thoroughly implement President Xi Jinping’s major vision and strategic thinking on building a community with a shared future for mankind, continuously enhance its global science and technology governance capacity in the field of materials, and comprehensively serve China’s goal of building a “strong nation in materials.” The Society will also make every effort to advance the realization of China’s broader objective of becoming a world-leading science and technology powerhouse.