Chapter 778: National Science and Technology Award Conference

In the office, Xu Qingzhou poured tea for Ji Yunshi and said nonchalantly: "Even if they go back, our progress here might be slightly slower, but it won't affect the overall situation. We've even made it through the most difficult times, so what are we afraid of?"

"That's true."

Ji Yunshi nodded with a smile. Even if Shao Yilin and the others left, the people at the institute could temporarily fill in; it was nothing more than the tasks on their shoulders being heavier.

The institute was not what it was when it was first established.

The two chatted about the recent progress of each project team.

"Alright, then I'll go get busy."

He finished his tea, didn't stay any longer, and stood up to leave.

After Ji Yunshi left, Xu Qingzhou sighed and leaned back against the sofa, taking advantage of this moment to relax his mind. For the past few days, he had been working on a plan to add reverse vortex coils to the divertor region.

Currently, the institute's work was a thousand threads tangled together, and everyone was very busy. Regarding the Advanced Research Institute, Xu Qingzhou decided to organize his thoughts first and think about it carefully after this busy period passed.

The competition between the Xia Nation and the United States in the field of controllable nuclear fusion was becoming increasingly severe, with no signs of easing.

In addition to the series of measures the US had released itself, it had also formed a technology alliance with Japan and the ROK.

As for the negotiations regarding ITER, they had likewise fallen into a stalemate.

The Xia Nation bore 9% of the funding for ITER, yet Xia Nation scientists occupied only 4% of the core positions. Many applications had been rejected on grounds such as "insufficient language skills" or "lack of international experience."

To use Professor Li Gang's words.

"Previously, ITER's discrimination against the Xia Nation was an open secret internationally. Now, it's those European countries that should be worried, not us."

This is technological self-confidence.

The Xia Nation was completely in a world-leading position in the field of controllable nuclear fusion.

The US was shouting very loudly, but compared to them, a gap still existed.

"Alright, let's get back to work."

Xu Qingzhou shook his head, put away his thoughts, returned to his seat, and focused his attention on the manuscript in front of him.

November flew by in the midst of busyness, and soon they entered the last month of 2021.

The third day of December, 6:30 AM.

Xu Qingzhou, in a dark suit, and Song Yao, wearing a black suit skirt set, got into the car. Today was the day the National Science and Technology Award Conference would begin.

Xu Qingzhou was a scientist from the academic world, while Song Yao was a representative of a technology enterprise from the industry.

Driving today was Yang Xiaolin, the deputy leader of the security team. After everything was ready, she started the car and, being very observant, pressed the soundproof curtain to avoid disturbing Xu Qingzhou and Song Yao.

Immediately, she drove the car toward the direction of the Great Hall.

The hall was packed with people. This conference was attended by about 3,300 people, including representatives of scientific and technological workers, academicians of the two academies, and international award winners; it was one of the largest grand gatherings in the domestic scientific community.

Under the guidance of the staff, Xu Qingzhou and Song Yao went to their respective seating areas.

The business sector was located on the right side of the hall, while Xu Qingzhou's seat was in the first row of the middle section, facing the podium directly.

"Professor Xu."

In the hall, Xu Qingzhou saw many scholars he knew, greeting them one by one and exchanging a few pleasantries.

He soon saw Academician Chu Jiangfeng, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

"Perhaps we can look forward to today."

Chu Jiangfeng looked at the indifferent-looking Xu Qingzhou and said with a chuckle: "You kid is as calm as ever, much better than us old fogies."

"Being anxious is useless."

Xu Qingzhou said helplessly.

"That's true."

Chu Jiangfeng felt somewhat gratified. In just a few short years, the young man before him had already become a world-renowned scientist. ===== CHAPTER 779 =====