XAO--Xinjiang Astronomy Observatory--Chinese Academy of Sciences

On September 28, the “2017 astronomy on the silk road symposium---the 60^th anniversary of Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory (XAO)” was held by XAO. The participants of the symposium included leaders and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Xinjiang Autonomous region and local government, astronomical institutes, universities, together with retirees, staffs and students of XAO. Wang, Na, Director of XAO, delivered a speech with the title “Take Roots in Xinjiang; Bond with the heaven” in retrospect the past 60 years of extraordinary histories of XAO.

Bai, Chunli, President of CAS, expressed his sincere appreciation and greetings to the staffs of XAO. He mentioned that XAO, with the efforts of several generations, has taken deep roots in Xinjiang with many excellent research teams that have been built to meet the challenges of the constantly expanding scientific fields in the past 60 years. XAO has become one of the significant technical supports for the Chinese astronomical research, lunar exploration program, satellite observation, quantum communication and other national strategic tests. He expressed his great expectations for XAO of constructing a world leading radio and optical research platform that steer toward making great contributions for the development of scientific and technical research in Xinjiang.

Wang, Yongming, Deputy Director of Standing Committee of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and President of the Association of Science and Technology of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, gave a speech in the symposium. He said that XAO has been developed with fast speed and gained great achievements under the support from scientific and technological communities in China, especially with the inclusion of the “110-m aperture fully steerable radio telescope”–QTT program in the “13th five year plan of Central government supports for Xinjiang economic and social development planning and construction project”.

As members of XAO, we have the confidence to face all formidable challenges that lie ahead. Under the leading of CAS and Autonomous Region and the cooperation from other institutes, observatories and universities, we will spare no effort to contribute and advance the astronomical development in the country and work together for a brighter future.