From August 26 to 29, the 11th Cross-Strait Symposium on Astronomical Telescopes and Instruments was successfully held in Kashgar, Xinjiang. The symposium was jointly organized by the Astronomical Instruments and Technology Committee of the Chinese Astronomical Society, Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics & Technology (NIAOT), Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA), and the Astronomy Research Institute of Central University, and co-hosted by NIAOT and Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory (XAO).

The academic conference brought together more than 140 experts and scholars from over 30 universities and research institutes and focused on frontier developments in astronomical technologies. On August 29, the participants visited the Muztagh Station, located at an altitude of 4,500 meters. They learned about the site environment, observational conditions, and facility development at the station, and highly affirmed its superior observing conditions in astronomical research.

XAO initiated site survey for astronomical observatory sites on the Pamir Plateau. Long-term site testing data have shown that key parameters of the Muztagh Station—such as seeing, night sky brightness, and atmospheric water vapor content—meet the standards of internationally excellent optical astronomical sites. It fully satisfies the observational requirements for medium and large-aperture optical telescopes operating in the visible and near-mid-infrared bands. Several optical telescopes have already been installed at the station.

As a key node located in the core area of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the construction of the Muztagh Station serves not only scientific research needs but also provides unique strategic resources and geographical advantages for international astronomical cooperation. XAO will continue to conduct long-term monitoring and data accumulation to further verify and refine the site condition evaluation, providing reliable support for the leapfrog development of optical astronomy in China.