International space scientists advocate for open cooperation amid geopolitical tensions

In light of current geopolitical tensions affecting international science cooperation, space scientists from around the world reaffirmed the importance of open science and global cooperation at a recent symposium in Beijing, emphasizing the central role of young talent in future collaborations.

"Space science advances our understanding of the universe and continuously expands the boundaries of human knowledge," Wang Chi, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of the Chinese Society of Space Research, said.

Wang, who is also director-general at CAS' National Space Science Center, noted that space science drives the development of space technologies and serves as a powerful engine for social and economic progress, particularly in addressing climate change, promoting the peaceful use of outer space and fostering sustainable development for all humanity.

"Science knows no boundary. Human knowledge advances gradually through the dedicated efforts of researchers all over the world," Wang said. "Today, with increasing globalization, international cooperation in space science has become an unstoppable trend."

Wang mentioned China's decades-long participation in the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment — a quest for antimatter and dark matter involving scientists from 16 countries and regions. Additionally, the newly launched Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer — the SMILE mission jointly developed by CAS and the European Space Agency — marks a milestone in China-Europe space cooperation.

"In the face of current challenges in space research, only through open cooperation and pooling global wisdom can we achieve breakthroughs," he added.

Wang made the remarks at the satellite symposium on space science, a sideline event during the ongoing 2026 International Science Council Midterm Members' Meeting and Beijing Science Dialogue. The symposium brought together more than 160 researchers from over 20 science organizations and research institutes from several countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy and China.

Pietro Ubertini, vice-president of the Committee on Space Research, a body responsible for promoting scientific research in space, emphasized that such gatherings are more necessary than ever in light of recent international geopolitical tensions.

"Scientific cooperation can transcend geopolitical burdens," Ubertini said.

Ubertini mentioned the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly held in Florence, Italy, in August, where scientists from more than 70 countries and regions participated.

"This means that scientists are eager to listen to new results, to collaborate and to participate," he added.

However, he also pointed out that due to visa restrictions, only 3,000 people were present at the assembly out of the expected 4,000, with most of those unable to attend being young people.

"Now, we need scientists, in particular young scientists, to stick to cooperation," Ubertini said, emphasizing that scientific collaboration is an invaluable tool for promoting peace in the world.

Silvina Ponce Dawson, president of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, a global nongovernmental organization that assists in the worldwide development of physics, reflected on the union's post-World War II decision to include German physicists — a move made to set things right — stressing that isolating scientists only causes the entire field to fall behind.

Ponce Dawson noted that scientific communities must provide a neutral venue for scientists to cooperate, even when the world is fragmented, and emphasized the irreplaceable role of personal encounters, as trust "cannot be built over Zoom or e-mail".

She stressed that scientific exchange is not a privilege but the foundation of the scientific system, encouraging young researchers to take action now and start with small transboundary projects to build trust, rather than waiting for the right political moment.