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Astronomy enthusiasts have been diligently searching for the Solar System’s “Planet Nine.” Is there finally a glimmer of hope? An international project led by Dr. Shiang-Yu Wang and Dr. Ying-Tung Chen from the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Academia Sinica (ASIAA), has discovered a distant Solar System object, 2023 KQ14, nicknamed “Ammonite,” using the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. Ammonite follows a stable orbit with a perihelion distance of 66 astronomical units (au), placing it in the extremely rare category of “Sedna-like objects” (also known as Sednoids), whose orbits lie far beyond the gravitational influence of Neptune. Notably, Ammonite shows a markedly different orbital orientation from known Sedna-like objects in the Solar System. This surprising contrast sheds light on the complexity and evolutionary history of this distant population, and may reduce the likelihood that Planet Nine exists. The discovery was published on July 14, 2025 in Nature Astronomy.
In the first half of 2025, robust momentum in exports and investment was driven by the rapid expansion of applications related to high-performance computing and artificial intelligence, as well as firms’ proactive inventory restocking in anticipation of adjustments to U.S. tariff policies. These dual forces propelled real GDP growth to 5.48% in the first quarter, outperforming market expectations. Despite this strong start, growth momentum is projected to weaken notably in the second half due to heightened uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy and the potential dampening effects of tariffs on global demand. Accordingly, Taiwan’s real GDP growth rate is forecast at 2.93% in 2025, with a downward revision of 0.17 percentage points from the previous forecast. Domestic demand is expected to contribute 1.71 percentage points to growth, while net external demand will contribute 1.22 percentage points, with private investment identified as the main driver within domestic demand.
The inaugural Academia Sinica Conference (AS Conference) officially commenced today (June 30). This new event aims to showcase Academia Sinica’s research achievements, foster interdisciplinary exchanges, and enhance the sense of academic community. The opening ceremony was presided over by President James C. Liao, who delivered a keynote speech titled “Decoding Academia Sinica: Its Philosophy, Strategy, and Recent Progress.” President Liao emphasized that Academia Sinica is driven by “ambition, virtue and wisdom,” and outlined three strategic goals: attain global peaks of excellence, fulfil critical societal responsibilities, and recruit and cultivate top talents. He further noted that consistent alignment between evaluations and rewards with the the objectives underpins the design of new assessment, recruitment, and project review systems.
From June 30 to July 3, Academia Sinica will launch its first-ever AS Conference 2025, bringing together all institutes and research centers for a landmark academic event. President James C. Liao emphasized the goal of fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue and strengthening ties with both domestic and international scholars to better address complex scientific and societal challenges and to attract top global talent. The Conference will be held every two years, alternating with the Convocation of Academicians. Faculty members and students from Academia Sinica and universities are cordially invited to participate and explore innovative ideas together.
The 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting will take place from June 29 to July 4, 2025 in Lindau, Germany. More than 630 young scientists from 84 countries have been invited to attend and engage in discussions with approximately 35 Nobel Laureates. Among them, three outstanding young scholars from Taiwan have been selected through a rigorous international process to represent the country at the event. They are Hsin-Yu Yang and Loan Thi Ngo, PhD students of Academia Sinica's Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP), and Yi-Fan Chen, a PhD candidate in the Department of Applied Chemistry at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University.
TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 10 — Academia Sinica today announced major scientific progress in quantum computing chip fabrication science, including the successful production of high-quality superconducting qubits using eight-inch wafer processing equipment, and the unveiling of Taiwan’s first Quantum Chip Fabrication Space (QC-Fab) and Quantum Computing Test Space (QC-Test). At the unveiling ceremony, President James C. Liao stated: "The advancement of quantum science requires the joint development of high-end fabrication human resources and state-of-the-art hardware infrastructure. These two major spaces established by Academia Sinica will be open to academic and research communities nationwide. By integrating resources and sharing platforms, Academia Sinica seeks to accelerate Taiwan’s quantum technology development and attract outstanding talent to critical research areas."
The Fifth World Congress of Taiwan Studies (WCTS) officially opened today (May 21) at Academia Sinica. This triennial international academic event has reached an unprecedented scale, making it the largest Congress to date. In his opening address, Academia Sinica President James C. Liao remarked that the three-day event has attracted over 750 scholars from 30 countries, showcasing the growing global significance of Taiwan Studies amid rapidly shifting international dynamics and highlighting the field’s remarkable vitality.
On May 20, Academia Sinica hosted the inaugural Academia Sinica Chemical Biology Lecturer – Professor Kai Johnsson, Director of the Department of Chemical Biology at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Germany. Vice President Tang K. Tang, acting on behalf of Academia Sinica, presented a certificate to Dr. Johnsson, commemorating the lectureship.
In celebration of International Museum Day on May 18, Academia Sinica Center for Digital Cultures presents its sixth annual program with a brand-new theme: “Sounds, Voices, and Beyond.” For the first time, this year’s event introduces an AI-powered audio guide system that allows users to explore the museum through sound. With a simple tap, visitors can randomly explore a vast archive of over 20,000 sound recordings, ranging from temple festivals and traditional mountain songs to the rich textures of nature. Some of these soundscapes are featured exclusively for this exhibition.
Academician Sunney I. Chan (1936-2025), former Vice President of Academia Sinica and a world-renowned chemist, passed away in Taipei on May 5, 2025, at the age of 89. Elected as an Academia Sinica Academician in 1988, he returned to Taiwan in 1997 at the invitation of former President Yuan-Tseh Lee, and served as Director of the Institute of Chemistry and later as Vice President of Academia Sinica. In 2021, he was awarded the Presidential Science Prize. Current President James C. Liao remarked that “Academician Chan was a key figure in laying the foundation of Academia Sinica’s academic administration.” Throughout his life, Academician Chan made remarkable contributions to scientific research and education, building a solid foundation for Taiwan’s scientific development.
The 5th World Congress of Taiwan Studies (WCTS) will be held by Academia Sinica from May 21 to 23, 2025. This year, with the theme “Taiwan in a Changing World: Past, Present, and Future,” the triennial event will bring together scholars from over 30 countries to explore Taiwan’s transformations from diverse perspectives. Academia Sinica President James C. Liao noted that the WCTS, initiated by Academia Sinica, has over the past decade become the largest international academic event dedicated to Taiwan studies. With the Congress returning to Taiwan this year, all 12 Institutes and Research Centers within the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences are actively involved. There are expected to be over 750 participants— the highest number ever—demonstrating a growing global interest in Taiwan studies. Members of the public, including students, are encouraged to register and participate.
The International Peace Foundation (IPF) will collaborate with Taiwan to host the Taiwan Bridges Event Series (TAIWAN BRIDGES) in 2025. Academia Sinica is set to welcome 10 Nobel laureates between November 2025 and April 2026. These distinguished scholars will visit Taiwan to give lectures, engage in deep discussions with local academic community, and share their successful experiences in academic and cultural exchanges. Recently, IPF Chairman Uwe Morawetz visited Taiwan and discussed the details of the cooperation with Academia Sinica and several universities, officially launching the Taiwan Bridges Event Series.
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