In order to promote the deep integration of technology and industry in the field of rare metals, and to promote the high-quality development of China's rare metal materials industry and related manufacturing industry, the Advanced Rare Metal Materials and Application Development Forum and Northwest Nonferrous Metal Research Institute Science and Technology Innovation Conference, hosted by the China Nonferrous Metals Society, the China Materials Research Society, and the Northwest Nonferrous Metal Research Institute, were held in Xi'an on March 17th. Zhao Gang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee and Governor of Shaanxi Province, Yang *, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Shaanxi Provincial Committee and former Party Secretary of the Northwest Nonferrous Metals Research Institute, Ye Niuping, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Xi'an Municipal Committee and Mayor, Zhou Lian, academician of the CAE Member and honorary president of the Northwest Nonferrous Metals Research Institute; 96 academicians of the two academies, including Xue Qunji, He Jilin, Sun Chuanyao and Zhang Shengyong, academicians of the CAE Member, Zheng Xiaojing, Wei Bingbo and Huang Wei, academicians of the CAS Member, attended the opening ceremony. Zhao Gang, Zhou Lian and Xue Qunji addressed the conference respectively, and Zhang Pingxiang, academician of the CAE Member and president of the Northwest Institute of Nonferrous Metals, presided over the opening ceremony of the conference.

　　Zhao Gang pointed out in his speech that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Shaanxi Province has focused on leveraging its innovation advantages, promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, and accelerating the pace of building a strong science and technology province. Firstly, new breakthroughs have been made in serving the country's high-level self-reliance and self-improvement. Secondly, new achievements have been made in innovation driven development. Thirdly, new progress has been made in the reform of the science and technology system and mechanism. Northwest Nonferrous Metals Research Institute is a shining business card of innovation in Shaanxi Province. For 60 years, Northwest Nonferrous Metals Research Institute has always adhered to the leadership of the Party, kept in mind the positioning of a new type of scientific research institution determined by the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee and Government, immersed itself in scientific research, committed to reform, and worked hard to start a business, contributing important strength to serving national strategies and Shaanxi's development. Shaanxi Province will continue to support the reform and development of various innovative entities represented by Northwest Nonferrous Metals Institute, and strive to produce more original and disruptive technological achievements.

　　In his speech, Zhou Lian recalled the development process and a series of achievements of Northwest Nonferrous Metals Research Institute over the past 60 years, and put forward six opinions and hopes for future development: firstly, always adhere to the independent innovation of "developing the institute through science and technology", and the strategy of scientific and technological innovation is the soul of all work. Only by striving to overcome key technologies can we solve the urgent needs of national defense construction and major national projects, and achieve * in superconducting technology and superconducting material applications; Secondly, we must adhere to the principle of "revitalizing the institute and enriching the people", implement effective incentive mechanisms through reform, stimulate the innovation and creative vitality of the vast number of scientific and technological workers, and enable them to share the fruits of reform and development; Thirdly, we must adhere to the principle of "strengthening the institute with talents" and cultivate a high-level team of scientific and technological talents who can stand at the forefront of world science and technology and have the courage to explore and innovate; Fourthly, we must persist in promoting the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, focus on building high-tech industries with scale and technology, and actively promote the listing of enterprises to achieve deep integration of technology and economy; The fifth is to have independent and autonomous development space, which is the foundation for stimulating innovation vitality, enhancing core competitiveness, and achieving sustainable development; The key is for leading cadres to take the lead. Only by gathering the collective wisdom and strength of the vast number of workers, bravely taking responsibility, can we ensure that the scientific and technological cause always advances in the right direction. Facing the new stage of the 15th Five Year Plan, the new generation of Northwest Nonferrous Metals Institute should focus on the forefront of the world, serve national strategies, deepen reform and innovation, and jointly promote the development of advanced materials for rare metals in China.

　Xue Qunji stated in his speech that materials are a milestone in the development of human society and the material foundation of advanced manufacturing, with non-ferrous metals being particularly important strategic materials. Over the past 60 years, China's rare metal materials industry has achieved a leapfrog development from being controlled by others to self-reliance, from forging ahead to standing at the forefront of the trend. The Northwest Nonferrous Metals Research Institute has played a role as a national science and technology team, ensuring the independent and controllable core technology and key materials of rare metals, creating a "scientific research pilot industrialization" full chain development model, building an "international advanced high-tech industry cluster", gathering a creative talent team, and contributing to the development of China's rare metal materials industry.
In the reporting link, Zhang Pingxiang, Gan Yong, Li Jiangang, Liu Jiongtian, Yang Shuxing, Chen Xuedong, Gong Shengkai, academicians of the CAE Member, Wei Bingbo, Yu Dapeng, and Ye Guoan, academicians of the CAS Member, respectively, made brilliant academic reports on the development status and trends of basic research, process technology, and industrial applications in their research fields. Li Hejun and Lv Jian, academicians of the CAE Member, Sun Jun and Wei Bingbo, academicians of the CAS Member, respectively presided over the report.

　Zhang Pingxiang provided a detailed introduction to the 60 year development history of Northwest Nonferrous Metals Institute in his report, and reviewed the technological and industrial innovation achievements of the institute in various historical stages since its establishment. He stated that in recent years, Northwest Nonferrous Metals Institute has continued to deepen its research in basic research, applied research, industrialization, and other areas. Multiple projects have received support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China's key projects, and the incubated high-tech enterprises have developed into industry leaders. Looking ahead to the future, Northwest Nonferrous Metals Institute will continue to focus on the major strategic needs of the country, continue to make efforts in key core technology research and development, high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, and make new and greater contributions to building a strong country in science and technology.
Rare metals are irreplaceable strategic support materials in the fields of national defense, military industry, and national economy such as aerospace, ocean, nuclear industry, biomedicine, and electronics industry. They are also key core materials that lead a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, and seize future strategic competition areas. The Advanced Rare Metal Materials and Application Development Forum aims to promote technological exchanges in the field of rare metals, cultivate and discover high-level talents in the field of rare metals, serve the major needs of national strategic emerging industries, and promote the high-quality development of China's rare metal materials industry.
The conference will last for two days with a rich agenda. In addition to several exciting academic presentations and technical exchanges, there will also be visiting activities arranged. More than 1000 representatives from government departments, research institutes, societies, associations, and advanced rare metal related enterprises attended the conference.