The Future Science Prize announced three Chinese mainland laureates for its 2026 Future Science Prize on Thursday, with the results announced simultaneously in Beijing and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Hong Kong government officials and scholars said they believe that the Future Science Prize – a world-class award held in the SAR for the fourth consecutive year – can deepen Hong Kong’s role as an international science and technology hub, ignite enthusiasm for science among the public – especially among the city’s young people – and showcase regional scientific strengths.

This year’s prize winners were announced during live broadcasts of press conferences held concurrently in Beijing and Hong Kong.

The Life Science Prize was awarded to Zhang Hong of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Biophysics for his pioneering contributions to the mechanism and physiological function of autophagy in multicellular organisms.

The Physical Science Prize went to Zhao Dongyuan from Fudan University in Shanghai. The scientist has been dedicated to researching mesoporous materials in the context of synthetic control, mechanistic understanding, and industrial application.

Yuan Xinyi from Peking University won the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize. He has made fundamental contributions to arithmetic geometry, and developed the theory of arithmetic bigness in Arakelov geometry.

Initiated in 2016 by a group of scientists and entrepreneurs to honor the outstanding achievements of scientists from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, the event entered its 11th edition this year. Hong Kong has been the host city for the prize for four consecutive years.

The award offers a $1 million prize across three categories: life science, physical science, and mathematics and computer science. So far, 46 scientists have been awarded.

Sun Dong, secretary for innovation, technology and industry of the Hong Kong SAR, made an address at the press conference in Hong Kong. He said that hosting the prize not only aligns precisely with the national strategy for innovation and technology development, but also helps elevate the level of self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

He said the prize has developed into one of the SAR’s global events, and signals China’s strong scientific research abilities on the global stage.

The award’s accompanying flagship activity, Prize Week, is set to be held from Nov 6 to 9, with nearly 100 world famous scientists – including laureates of the Nobel Prize and Fields Medal – invited to attend two high-profile science symposiums, a forum focusing on artificial intelligence development, a laureates’ dialogue with youngsters, and the prize’s awards ceremony.

These events will contribute to global scientific development and consolidate Hong Kong's role as an international innovation and technology hub, Sun said.

Sun also spoke of the city’s willingness to embrace AI, and said that the SAR government will act to drive the adoption of AI across the city, and to comprehensively popularize AI applications and knowledge.

Vivian Yam Wing-wah, co-chair of the 2026 Future Science Prize Week Program Committee and vice-president of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, said that the successful hosting of the three previous editions in Hong Kong reflects the city’s enthusiasm for science.

Yam said that the future of science lies in passing on knowledge – a philosophy that is central to the Future Science Prize.

It is not just an event that gathers top scientists; it is also an event for the general public, she added.

In Beijing, Guan Kunliang, rotating chairman of the 2026 Selection Committee of the Future Science Prize, said that the prize will continue to promote internationalization, institutionalization, and sustainability, stepping steadily toward its long-term goal of becoming a centennial science award, and cultivating the next generation of scientists.

Two “Hello Scientists” lectures will feature Hong Kong microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung, a 2021 Future Science Prize laureate; and Dai Xi, a 2025 laureate from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. They will deliver speeches on Sept 19 and Oct 27, respectively.

The Future Science Prize will host a monthlong exhibition at the Hong Kong Science Museum from Oct 16 to Nov 18, along with numerous science outreach activities for secondary school students.  

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com