On the afternoon of March 24, 2011, Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Academy of Engineering met with Dr. Robert Kuhn, Chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, US. Dr. Hyung S. Choi, Director of Mathematical & Physical Sciences of John Templeton Foundation, as well as Mr. Adam Zhu, Chief Representative of the Beijing Office of Merrill Lynch Group accompanied the visit. Officials with the Departments of International Cooperation of both the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the National Natural Science Foundation were also present during the visit.

Dr. Kuhn, first of all, expressed his gratefulness for Song’s time and hospitality. Then Dr. Hyung S. Choi, Director of Mathematical & Physical Sciences of John Templeton Foundation, upon Dr. Kuhn’s introduction, gave a briefing to the basic information of this foundation, focus for recent work, as well as collaborative efforts with research institutes in China, particularly the cooperation with Chinese researchers financially supported by this foundation, who specialize in fields like computational mathematics, bioinformatics and mathematical physics (astronomy). Song spoke highly of the close attention Dr. Kuhn had long given to the political, economic as well as social development of China, together with his intensive studies in them over time. Song also sang high praise for the tremendous and enduring endeavors of both Kuhn Foundation and John Templeton Foundation to promote the exchanges between China and the world, especially, China and the United States, as well as the great efforts of both foundations to enhance science and technology cooperation between universities and research institutes home and abroad, who also expressed his own viewpoints concerning these aspects. Representatives coming from the National Natural Science Foundation and the Chinese Academy of Sciences exchanged information regarding their own work, and then discussed with foreign friends over issues like the funding mode of foundations, the selection of funds applicants, how to apply for international exchange programs, how to implement them, and so on. Finally, Song extended his hope that both sides should further strengthen the collaboration between them, thus enhance mutual understanding and deepen their friendship. The two sides also exchanged opinions with regard to other areas to the interest of both. (By Zhu Yu, April 2011; translated by Liu Chang)