IHB held its 2025 Strategy Symposium on September 26, 2025. (Credit: IHB)

The Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences held its 2025 Strategy Symposium on September 26, 2025, gathering members of its academic committee, leadership team, directors of research centers and laboratories, administration heads, platform directors, and senior research staff. The assembly conducted a systematic review of the 14th Five-Year Plan period and laid the groundwork for a high-quality launch of the 15th Five-Year Plan. The meeting was chaired by XIE Shouqi, deputy director of the Institute.

In his keynote presentation, IHB’s director MIAO Wei reviewed the institute's progress over the past five years, particularly following its institutional restructuring, covering talent development, research projects, scientific outputs, platform development, and infrastructure. He analyzed current opportunities and challenges, outlining the overarching vision and goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan. The strategy emphasizes strengthening basic biology as a foundation, enhancing frontier-oriented and original innovation, and deepening the integration of traditional disciplines in water, fisheries, and algae with modern biotechnology. Focusing on the conservation and utilization of aquatic biological resources, the plan aims to achieve breakthroughs from basic research to technological innovation and industrial application, dedicated to safeguarding national water ecosystems, leading modern fisheries development, securing a leading position in bio-manufacturing, and fulfilling the core mission of a national strategic scientific force. Director Miao also introduced three major initiatives and key tasks planned for the 15th Five-Year Plan period. 

Directors of three research centers delivered reports detailing completion priorities for the 14th Five-Year Plan and key work focuses for the 15th Five-Year Plan. Young scientists from nine laboratories presented their teams' latest achievements and perspectives on cutting-edge directions and future technologies in their fields, demonstrating the younger generation's vision and sense of responsibility.

During the afternoon discussion session, participants engaged in lively exchanges centered on the Director’s report and the center presentations. CAS members provided guiding suggestions on topics including "research topic refinement," "interdisciplinary integration," "cultivation of young talent," and "innovation in technology transfer models."

In concluding remarks, CAS member CHEN Yiyu fully affirmed the workshop's outcomes and offered three recommendations for the institute's future development: first, to closely align scientific questions with major national strategic needs; second, to promote deep integration across multiple disciplines and foster collaborative research; and third, to encourage young researchers to deepen their expertise through continuous learning and enhancement, thereby strengthening the foundation of basic biology as the root of innovation. 

The workshop concluded with a shared resolve among participants to translate the new strategy into action. They pledged to focus their efforts on finalizing the current Five-Year Plan goals and implementing the roadmap for the 15th, uniting to advance IHB's scientific mission with heightened purpose.