More than 50 leading scholars from the mainland and Hong Kong in the field of condensed matter and optical physics shared their insights and delivered talks at the symposium. Participants comprised some prominent Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) including Prof. Zhao Zhongxian of Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Prof. Zhu Shining, Department of Physics of Nanjing University; Prof. Guo Guangcan, School of Physics of the University of Science and Technology of China; and Prof. Xue Qikun, Department of Physics of Tsinghua University. The two plenary talks were delivered by Prof. Zhao Zhongxian from CAS and Prof. Sheng Ping, Dr William M W Mong Chair Professor of Nanoscience of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology respectively.

Prof. Kenneth Young, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK; Prof. Gong Qihuang, representative of NSFC and Director of Institute of Modern Optics, School of Physics of Peking University; and Prof. H.Q. Lin, Chairman of the Symposium Organizing Committee and Head of Department of Physics, CUHK, officiated at the opening ceremony.

The objective of this symposium was to provide a forum for the exchange of expertise and experience in the field of condensed matter and optical physics as well as its specific characteristics in Mainland China. The symposium stimulated further research with a view to supporting the 11th Five-Year Plan, fostering the pioneer role of this important field in the technological and economic development of China.