On May 26, 2026, Professor Qian Qihu, winner of the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award and the “August 1 Medal,” and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, visited the Jiangsu Society for Underground Space, toured the Underground Space Science Museum, and held an exchange meeting. Lu Hong, Deputy Director of the Nanjing Eco-Tech Island Economic Development Zone Management Committee, along with Society Chairman Huang Fumin, Executive Vice Chairman Huang Jun, Supervisor Shi Yehu, Executive Director Ji Hongling, Secretary General Li Ao, Deputy Secretaries General Wang Juntong and Huang Linzhong, Li Yunfeng, Secretary General of the Society’s Detection and Evaluation Committee, Xu Xianjun, Secretary General of the Green Environmental Protection Industry Working Committee, Ou Yubao, Secretary General of the Environment and Resource Recycling Committee, and secretariat staff participated in the event.

Accompanied by the attendees, Academician Qian Qihu visited the Underground Space Science Museum, with Executive Vice Chairman Huang Jun providing a full explanation. Academician Qian listened to presentations on the museum’s construction background, exhibition layout, science popularization functions, and cutting-edge technology applications in underground space, gaining in-depth understanding of the science popularization achievements and industry development status in areas such as underground space development and utilization, resilient protection, and smart detection. He affirmed the Society’s efforts in deepening the promotion of underground space science and disseminating professional knowledge.

After the tour, the exchange meeting was held in the Society’s conference room. Chairman Huang Fumin first introduced the attending leaders and experts. Then, all participants watched the Society’s promotional video to gain an intuitive understanding of the Society’s development history, organizational construction, academic exchanges, and industry services. Secretary General Li Ao introduced the work of the Society’s China-Singapore Underground Space Innovation Center. During the discussion, attending leaders and experts spoke in turn on hot topics such as underground space industry development, technological innovation, talent cultivation, and platform co-construction, engaging in in-depth discussions based on their respective fields.

In his concluding remarks, Academician Qian Qihu spoke highly of the Jiangsu Society for Underground Space’s “rapid development, high construction quality, and extensive work” since its establishment. He noted that the Society has achieved solid results in academic leadership, science popularization, industry services, and platform building, which are impressive. From the strategic perspective of national urban development and underground space development, Academician Qian profoundly analyzed the current opportunities and challenges facing the industry and offered earnest expectations and guiding suggestions for the Society’s future development: he hopes the Society will further focus on the new trends of “green, resilient, and smart” underground space development, continuously strengthen academic research, accelerate the transformation of technological innovations, consolidate science popularization positions, actively empower the development of Jiangsu’s underground space industry, and make new and greater contributions to promoting the high-quality development of urban underground space in China.

Academician Qian Qihu’s visit has clarified the development direction for the Jiangsu Society for Underground Space and injected strong momentum. The Society will earnestly absorb the suggestions of Academician Qian and other experts, stay true to its original mission, deepen its work in the underground space field, strengthen academic exchanges and research innovation, continue to excel in science popularization and industry services, and unite efforts to create a new chapter in underground space development.

Academician Qian Qihu personally inscribed a message for the Society, conveying his ardent expectations.

Editor: Lu Yuanyuan

Reviewers: Huang Jun, Li Ao

Thanks to the gracious care and meticulous guidance of Academician Qian Qihu, all members of the Jiangsu Society for Underground Space are deeply inspired. Notably, the Jiangsu Society for Underground Space will serve as the host organization of the 2027 International Conference on Underground Space (ACUUS2027), leading the preparation of this premier global event in the underground space field.

Academician Qian has expressed his deep expectations and best wishes for the successful hosting of the conference. Let us all look forward to the arrival of ACUUS2027 and together witness an even brighter future for the underground space industry!