On June 27, 2025, Dou Xiankang, President of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), met with Professor Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber, Director General of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA).

President Dou welcomed Professor Schellnhuber and introduced NSFC’s pivotal role in supporting fundamental research and talent development, as well as its latest initiatives to deepen international cooperation. He emphasized that NSFC channels its scientific resources to the most innovative front-line researchers and supports outstanding young foreign scholars through the Research Fund for International Scientists to conduct research in China. He noted that NSFC places great importance on collaboration and exchange between young scholars in China and Europe, and will further strengthen cooperation with IIASA, focusing on sustainable development through joint research to addresses global challenges.

Professor Schellnhuber acknowledged China’s remarkable progress in basic scientific research in recent years. He highlighted IIASA’s strengths in applying systems-analysis approaches to complex, interdisciplinary problems and its unique role in science diplomacy. He stated that China should take a deeper role in global science governance and expressed hope that the two sides can cooperate in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and carbon neutrality through bilateral and multilateral joint research and exchanges.

Professors from Tsinghua University accompanied the delegation. Fan Yingjie, Director-General of NSFC’s Bureau of International Cooperation, and relevant staff members attended the meeting.