The Fusion of Science and Art: Revisiting “Qian Xuesen's Question” – The 5th Session of the “HuaiBo Lecture” Successfully Held

On April 24, the fifth session of the "HuaiBo Lecture" series was successfully held at the Huairou Laboratory.  The event featured Professor Xiang Yong, Dean of the Institute for Cultural Industries at Peking University, as the keynote speaker.

Professor Xiang delivered an inspiring lecture titled The Fusion of Science and Art: Revisiting "Qian Xuesen's Question." His talk examined the interplay between scientific rationality and artistic sensibility, illustrating how their integration can broaden cognitive frontiers. He advocated moving beyond purely instrumental thinking and embracing a “non-utilitarian” spirit—encouraging researchers to metaphorically “gaze at the stars” and reimagine scientific inquiry. In doing so, he offered a contemporary response to the enduring challenge posed by “Qian Xuesen’s Question.” Concluding his talk, Professor Xiang called on young scholars to embrace their responsibilities and shared his hopes for their future contributions.

The thought-provoking lecture resonated strongly with attendees. During the Q&A session, participants posed questions such as “How can science and art be integrated in the era of big science?” and “In what ways can artistic thinking inspire scientific innovation?” Professor Xiang engaged deeply with the audience, offering insightful responses and fostering meaningful dialogue.

The online-offline concurrent event was attended by nearly 50 participants, including researchers, doctoral supervisors, and Ph.D. candidates from the laboratory. The lecture provided fresh perspectives on addressing "Qian Xuesen's Question," deepened reflections on interdisciplinary collaboration between science and art, and highlighted how artistic approaches can bolster scientific innovation—greatly inspiring researchers to tackle challenges with confidence and creativity.