The Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) recently hosted a symposium focusing on frontier nuclear physics related to the High Intensity Heavy-Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF). Held in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, from January 23 to 27, the event also incorporated the Annual Conference of the State Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Science and Technology.

The symposium aimed to sharpen HIAF's scientific objectives, accelerate the construction of its experimental terminals, plan initial experiments, and define long-term development strategies. The ultimate goal was to ensure HIAF makes significant contributions to national strategic science missions and multidisciplinary frontier research.

The conference drew nearly 300 leading experts and scholars from China and abroad, including CAS members ZHAN Wenlong, SHEN Wenqing, ZHANG Huanqiao, ZHAO Zhengguo, ZHAO Hongwei, ZOU Bingsong, LIU Weiping, and LIANG Zuotang, as well as XIA Jiawen, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

The event was co-organized by the State Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Science and Technology, the Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, and the Southern Nuclear Science Theory Research Center.

Over 70 academic presentations were delivered, covering nine frontier research directions which included superheavy nuclei and new element synthesis, exotic nuclear structure and reactions, nuclear astrophysics, properties of high-density nuclear matter, high-energy-density physics, and frontier applications of muon physics. Multiple physics research proposals were made for HIAF, offering new scientific directions and fostering cross-institutional collaborative innovation.

Besides, the Academic Committee Meeting of the State Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Science and Technology was held. They received progress reports on key research areas such as nuclear properties and new element synthesis, high-density nuclear matter, heavy ion interdisciplinary frontiers, and ion beam physics and technology. Constructive suggestions were offered regarding the laboratory's future development, talent acquisition, and the organization of major research tasks.

Attendees made a visit to the HIAF construction site, which provided an invaluable opportunity for an in-depth understanding of the facility's overall construction progress, commissioning status, and the planned layout of key experimental terminals.