On July 4, 2025, the 36th "Qiusu Youth Science and Technology Training Camp" hosted the “Qiusu Distinguished Scholars Forum” at Tianjin University. The event took place as scheduled in the eighth conference room of the Wei Jiu Road campus, featuring a special lecture by Academician Yang Yuanxi, a researcher at the Xi'an Institute of Surveying and Mapping and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Yang delivered an academic report entitled "Marine Geodetic Reference Systems and Navigation."

This report was part of the "Science and China" series of popular science lectures by academicians and was co-organized by the School of Marine Science and Technology, the Qiusu Youth Science and Technology Council, and the Research Institute of Science and Technology Development at Tianjin University. The session was chaired by Zhai Jingsheng, Dean of the School of Marine Science and Technology.

Academician Yang Yuanxi emphasized that a strong maritime nation and maritime security rely heavily on the support of marine spatial reference systems and marine navigation positioning. He pointed out that a transparent, digital, and intelligent ocean requires new infrastructure for marine spatiotemporal information.

Starting with an overview of domestic and international research progress in marine geodetic reference systems and marine navigation positioning, Academician Yang analyzed the opportunities and challenges in building China's integrated positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) system for the marine environment. He proposed technical development directions aimed at addressing significant scientific and technological issues related to the PNT system.

In conclusion, Academician Yang stressed the strong demand for China's marine geodesy and navigation system. He called for enhancing the cross-domain integration of areas such as marine physics, marine environment, marine geology, and marine communications. Moreover, he advocated for the integrated development of China's PNT system by summarizing the achievements and experiences gained during the 13th and 14th Five-Year Plans, to comprehensively advance progress in marine geodetic reference systems and navigation.