Among the four laboratories that earned the ‘Outstanding’ ranking, the best possible grade, in an evaluation of 22 joint laboratories run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and local institutions, three are with CUHK. They are Joint Laboratory for High Density Electronic Packaging Materials and Devices, Joint Laboratory for Biomaterials SIAT–HKU–CUHK and Shanghai-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory in Chemical Synthesis. To recognize the work and achievements of the CUHK research community, Prof. Bai Chunli, CAS President and Honorary Doctor of Science, honoris causa of CUHK came to the campus on 8 November to meet with over 40 researchers working at the joint laboratories and present certificates. During the visit, Professor Bai also delivered a Distinguished Lecture on the topic of ‘New Trends in Innovation and Technology Development: China and the World’, which was attended by over 200 scholars, students, alumni and members of the public.