From August 24 to 26, 2026, the 2026 Mainland-Hong Kong-Macau Higher Education Institutions Teacher-Student Exchange Program—Mainland-Hong Kong Symposium on Frontier Integration of Climate Modeling and Artificial Intelligence was successfully held at Lanzhou University. The symposium was hosted by the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, and co-organized by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Lanzhou University, with funding from the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Lanzhou University. Held as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, and with the aim of carrying forward the academic torch and promoting interdisciplinary integration, the symposium brought together invited experts from universities and research institutions including Tsinghua University, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIEER, CAS), as well as teacher and student representatives from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ITP, CAS), Lanzhou University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Qinghai Normal University. Focusing on core topics such as artificial intelligence (AI)-empowered climate model improvement, intelligent analysis and assimilation of massive climate data, intelligent prediction of extreme climate events, and climate risk assessment and intelligent decision support, participants engaged in multi-level, cross-perspective in-depth exchanges and discussions.
Keynote Reports: Six Experts Discuss Frontiers and Jointly Explore the Integration of AI and Climate Modeling
On the morning of August 25, the symposium officially opened at Lecture Hall 502, Qilian Hall, Lanzhou University. Six invited experts delivered keynote reports successively, systematically presenting the latest advances and frontier thinking on the deep integration of Earth system science and artificial intelligence from multidisciplinary perspectives.
In his keynote report entitled "Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Empowering Earth System Science", Academician Chen Deliang from Tsinghua University provided a high-level review of the evolution of Earth system science from understanding individual spheres to comprehending the complex relationship between humans and nature. He pointed out that artificial intelligence has made remarkable breakthroughs in weather forecasting in recent years. Drawing on his team's practices in improving climate model parameterization, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) prediction, and a new research paradigm driven by "conjecture–refutation" intelligent agents, Academician Chen argued that AI is promoting the transformation of Earth system science from a traditional "computing-centered" model to a complete closed loop integrating "data–model–decision", while scientific judgment and ultimate responsibility must always remain firmly in human hands.
Professor Zeng Zhenzhong from SUSTech focused on "predictability of the Earth system", with emphasis on the application potential of AI weather models in regional refined forecasting and extending forecast lead time. Researcher Ran Youhua from NIEER, CAS, presented on "data integration empowering permafrost geography research", introducing the latest progress in data integration of permafrost distribution and ground ice reserves across the Northern Hemisphere. Professor Lu Mengqian from HKUST, under the theme "Meteorological Intelligence: From Science and Engineering to Solutions", showcased practical achievements of a multi-hazard early warning intelligent agent and the SEPRESS mega-science program. Associate Researcher Fang Miao from NIEER, CAS, based on the work "Developing China SPEI Data over the Past Millennium through Paleoclimate Data Assimilation", reported on the development and validation of a gridded Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) dataset for China. Professor Wang Xuejia from Lanzhou University explored the application prospects of AI in regional climate model improvement and cold-region data assimilation from the perspective of "regional climate change modeling and AI empowerment". The participating teachers and students actively interacted and discussed, injecting new thinking into deepening the integration of climate modeling and AI and climate change response practices.
Young Scholar Reports: Students from Both Regions Share the Stage and Spark Innovation
On the afternoon of August 25, the symposium set up a thematic exchange session, during which young scholars and graduate students from Lanzhou University and HKUST delivered academic presentations in succession. The topics covered multiple frontier directions, including subseasonal forecasting of tropical cyclones, evolution and attribution of extreme heat and soil moisture in arid regions, compound humid heat waves and atmospheric river events in eastern China, simulation of climate effects of vegetation dynamics on the Tibetan Plateau, bias correction of subseasonal rainfall forecasts and intelligent agent applications, changes in precipitation variability in the Qilian Mountains and their driving mechanisms, kilometer-scale wind speed changes in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and their impacts on multiple sectors, and the influence of internal variability over the past millennium on dry and hot events in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. The presentations connected the entire chain from physical understanding and model improvement to intelligent applications, fully demonstrating the innovative vitality and solid expertise of the younger generation from the mainland and Hong Kong in the interdisciplinary field of climate modeling and artificial intelligence. After the presentations, participants engaged in lively discussions on hot topics such as forecast bias correction, data assimilation, interpretability of AI models, and integration of observations and models, with deepening exchanges of ideas that provided diverse perspectives and useful inspiration for research on frontier issues.
Study Tour: Experiencing the Cultural Heritage of Lanzhou and Strengthening Ties Between the Two Regions
On August 26, participating teachers and students visited the Gansu Provincial Museum, the Lanzhou Museum, and the Lanzhou University History Museum for study tours. Through on-site visits, they gained a deep appreciation of the rich historical and cultural heritage of northwestern China and a more vivid understanding of the more than one hundred years of Lanzhou University's educational history. While experiencing the cultural heritage, the teachers and students also enhanced their intuitive understanding of regional geography and climate, and the exchanges, interactions, friendship, and mutual trust between young people from the mainland and Hong Kong were further deepened.
Field Expedition: Visiting the Qilian Mountains and Discussing Climate Change and Ecological Responses
From August 27 to 29, a delegation led by Professor Guo Yike, Provost of HKUST, and Professor Lu Mengqian conducted a field scientific expedition to the Qilian Mountains. Accompanied by Professor Wang Xuejia and Professor Zhang Junzhou, the expedition team visited the Gansu Liancheng Forest Ecosystem Field Observation and Research Station and the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains for field investigations, carrying out in-depth exchanges on topics such as the long-term development of field observation stations, the impacts of climate change on alpine ecosystems, and ecological environmental changes in the Qilian Mountains.
At the Gansu Liancheng Forest Ecosystem Field Observation and Research Station, the expedition team visited the climate change manipulation experimental site, gaining a detailed understanding of the observation system for tree growth and physiological and ecological processes under different hydrothermal gradient treatments. They held in-depth discussions with station researchers on topics such as the mutual verification of long-term climate records and modern manipulation experiments, and the response mechanisms of the Qilian Mountains forest ecosystem to climate change. Subsequently, the two sides exchanged views on the long-term development of the observation station, coordinated data collection and intelligent management, the layout of a digital meteorological monitoring network, data sharing mechanisms, and joint research on climate change and ecosystem responses, reaching preliminary consensus on deepening cooperation in field scientific observation and joint talent cultivation between the two universities.
In the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains, the expedition team observed the vertical zonation of alpine mountains and the forest–steppe transition zone, gaining insights into treeline upward shifts, shrub encroachment trends, and changes in water conservation and glacial recharge. They conducted on-site exchanges on topics such as ecosystem responses, water conservation, biodiversity conservation, and the vulnerability of ecological barriers, deepening their understanding of the importance of ecological security in northwestern China and providing a direct basis for future cooperation.
