Dialogue @ ZJU With Prof. YANG Wei，member of CAS, former president of Zhejiang University

[Editor’s message: On the occasion of the TWAS Council meeting in Hangzhou (11 November) and the "Science for Future" workshop at Zhejiang University (12 November), Prof. YANG Wei accepted the interview by Global Communications，ZJU]

 Question: How would you envision China in relation to the world that will be in 30 to 50 years?

YANG:In 30 to 50 years from now, China will still progress at a pace faster than the most countries in the world, and will be served as the role-model of a developing country who could maintain its own cultural characteristics, break the constraints imposed by the developed world and stand tall against the super-power. At the same period of time, China will devote even more on the common good of mankind and help the developing countries.

 Question: What kind of specific innovations should be promoted with a view toward realizing the future society?

YANG: In the future society, three harmonies will become desirable. The first one is the harmony between the human and the nature, that requires innovations concerning our sustainable development goals.The second one is the harmony between the human and the machine intelligence, that requires innovations concerning the harmonic development of artificial intelligence.The third one is the harmony among different sectors in the human society, that requires innovations concerning complex sciences dealing with social systems and cities.

 Question: What advice would you offer to students?

YANG: To be scientists in the future society, you have to remember three things. First, you have to live in, and to serve for, a society that is not centered on you, but built on the needs of billions like you. Second, you should alwaysmove along with the progress of the society, and not to be left behind. Third, your pursuit for science will always bear the most delicious fruit when you explore a virgin land.