Acclaimed physicist Zhang Shoucheng shares passion for science

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By CGTN's ‍Tian Wei

Science is emerging as one of the most important fields for cooperation between China and the US, and Zhang Shoucheng knows more about this than anyone.

The Chinese physicist, a potential Nobel Prize candidate for his internationally-recognized research in condensed matter theory, is a professor at Stanford University.

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According to Science magazine, Zhang's scientific discoveries in topological insulators are ranked as one of the top 10 scientific breakthroughs ever. And now, other than his scientific research and study, Zhang is devoted to inspiring passion in young scientists.

He thinks there is something of a misunderstanding of science in China. For Zhang, science is not about attacking a well-defined goal but defining your own goals. And it’s important to give young scientists the freedom to do this.

“Young assistant professors… have to develop their own research programs. This is the most important thing because at the end of the day, we expect the greatest discoveries to be made by young people,” Zhang told CGTN at the Boao Forum for Asia.

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He said he is working to promote young scientists’ achievements, and encouraging his students to stay motivated.

“There is a lot of time you will feel you are in a lonely journey. But there is a very novel way to search for the truth and that is to search for the truth inspired by beauty,” according to Zhang.