Recently, the 14th China-Russia Deep Rock Mechanics and Engineering Forum and Conference on “Exploration of Deep Earth Resource and Comprehensive Utilization of Underground Space” was held in Harbin. Themed “Exploration of Deep Earth Resource and Comprehensive Utilization of Underground Space”, the conference was aligned with the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, and focused its academic discussions on core issues such as the safe and efficient exploration of deep earth resources and the scientific utilization of underground space. This conference was co-hosted by the Chinese Society for Rock Mechanics and Engineering (CSRME), Liaoning University (LNU), Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology, and the Siberian and Far East branches of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Co-organizers included over 50 universities, research institutes, and industry-leading enterprises from both China and Russia, as well as over a dozen core academic journals.
Distinguished attendees included: Academician Qian Qihu, Honorary President of CSRME and winner of the highest prize of the National Science and Technology Award; Academician Kang Hongpu, Member of the Party Committee of CSRME; Academician Zhao Yangsheng, Former Chief Supervisor of CSRME; Academician Pan Yishan, Former Vice President of the China National Group of the International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering(ISRM); Academician Li Xibing, Former Deputy President of CSRME; Academician Liu Quansheng, Executive member of the Council of CSRME; Khmelinin Alexei, Director of the Institute of Coal of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Academician Zhussupbekov Askar of the National Engineering Academy of Kazakhstan; Tatyana Shebzukhova, Rector of North Caucasus Federal University; Zhou Hongli, Secretary of the Party Committee of Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology, and Meng Shangjiu, President of Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology. Over 300 experts, scholars, and industry and business representatives from countries including China, Russia, and Kazakhstan attended the conference.
At the opening ceremony, Academician Qian Qihu delivered a speech, expressing ardent expectations for China-Russia cooperation in deep earth engineering. Entrusted by Academician He Manchao, Party Secretary and President of CSRME, Academician Kang Hongpu, a member of the Society’s Party Committee, delivered the opening address on behalf of CSRME. He highlighted the importance of deepening international academic exchanges and advancing innovation in deep rock mechanics amid a new round of technological and industrial revolution. Representatives from the Mining Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, North Caucasus Federal University, and Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology also delivered remarks. The session was chaired by Professor Pan Yishan, Party Secretary of LNU and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
In the keynote session, several Chinese and foreign academicians and experts delivered invited academic reports, sharing cutting-edge ideas and core technologies on major research topics such as safe construction of deep earth engineering, deep rock mechanics research, and intelligent mine disaster prevention and control. Notably, Academician Pan Yishan delivered a report titled "Research on Critical Stress in Coalburst Mines," providing theoretical guidance for the prevention and control of coalburst mines in China. The conference set up multiple parallel sub-venues and held over 100 specialized academic reports. Covering popular research areas such as stability control of underground engineering, intelligent mining of deep minerals, underground space energy storage, and resource reutilization of abandoned mines, these sessions showcased comprehensively the latest research progress and technological innovations in deep earth engineering globally.
The conference specially set up an exhibition zone for scientific research achievements and technology products, centrally displaying new equipment, intelligent systems, and practical application achievements in deep earth engineering. It also served as an efficient platform for academic research, technology R&D, achievement transformation, and industry matchmaking. The conference also featured the unveiling of the "Qian Qihu Class" at Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology. Guided by top academicians, the class aims to carry forward the noble spirit of older-generation scientists who served the country and the people and devoted themselves to scholarship. It also meets the talent demands of industrial and regional socio-economic development, striving to cultivate top-tier applied talents with a sense of national pride, scientific literacy, and practical skills.
The China-Russia Deep Rock Mechanics and Engineering Forum was co-founded by Mr. Qian Qihu, winner of the highest prize of the National Science and Technology Award and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Mr. Abalin, the late Corresponding Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Mr. Pan Yishan, Party Secretary of LNU and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Since its inception in 2011, it has become a highly influential brand academic conference in the field of rock mechanics and engineering for both countries, serving as a normalized, high-level platform for international academic exchange. As a co-founder and long-standing organizer of the forum, LNU has consistently supported the cooperation deployment in energy and resources between the two countries. It has strongly promoted academic exchange, joint research and development, and the sharing of research achievements in deep earth engineering between the two countries, while fostering friendships and a collaborative spirit among Chinese and foreign researchers. LNU’ s sustained investment and organizational efforts not only provide solid intellectual support for safeguarding national energy security and driving the green, low-carbon development of the deep earth industry, but also significantly advance global innovation in deep earth science and the sustainable, high-quality development of the industry. Academician Pan Yishan has played a key role in founding, organization and academic leadership of the forum, making important contributions to promoting the development of deep rock mechanics in China. The event was livestreamed through the video channels of LNU academic journal “Geohazard Mechanics” and Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology, attracting over 22,000 online views across multiple platforms.Media such as "Science and Technology Daily", "Heilongjiang Daily", Hljtv.com, "Harbin Daily", and Sohu.com conducted on-site interviews.
