From November 3 to 8, 2025, at the invitation of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), Prof. DOU Xiankang, President of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), led a delegation to Japan to attend the 22^nd Meeting of Heads of Research Councils of Asia (A-HORCs) and to conduct a working visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK).

During the visit to Japan, Prof. DOU Xiankang, along with SUGINO Tsuyoshi, President of the JSPS, and LEE Seok Lae, Vice President of the NRF, respectively led their delegations in attending the meeting, which was themed "Promoting the Development of Female Researchers."  President DOU Xiankang introduced NSFC's recent reform progress as well as measures and achievements in supporting female scientific and technological talents. President SUGINO Tsuyoshi and Vice President LEE Seok Lae respectively presented their organizations' relevant funding policies and mechanisms. The three parties held in-depth discussions on the meeting's theme and reports, and reached consensus on the cooperation areas for the 2026 Northeast Asia Symposium and the China-Japan-Korea A3 Foresight Plan, as well as the theme, timing, and venue for the next A-HORCs. Following the meeting, President DOU Xiankang and President SUGINO Tsuyoshi signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific Cooperation on behalf of their respective institutions.

The delegation also visited the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), holding a meeting with JST President HASHIMOTO Kazuhito. Both sides reviewed the implementation outcomes of the China-Japan (NSFC-JST) cooperation exchanges and talent programs, shared updates on the latest developments within their respective institutions, and held in-depth discussions on expanding collaboration networks for young talents and improving exchange mechanisms. The delegation undertook a working visit to Kanazawa University, where they toured the  Innovation Flight and the Nano-Life Sciences Institute and gained insights into Japan's R&D advances in interdisciplinary and medical sciences.

During the visit to the ROK, DOU Xiankang held talks with HONG Won-hwa, President of the NRF. They engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including launching a systematic exchange program for project directors, promoting academic exchanges between China and ROK, and strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation. These discussions provided a clear roadmap for further refining the joint funding mechanism for basic science between China and ROK.

The delegation was accompanied by WANG Cuixia, Director of the General Office of NSFC; FAN Yingjie, Director General of the Bureau of International Cooperation; HONG Wei, Deputy Director General of the Department of Medical Sciences; and relevant staff members from the Bureau of International Cooperation.