On April 9-13, 2018, the 3rd International Symposium on High Power Laser Science and Engineering (HPLSE2018) was held in Suzhou. It was organized by Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). CAS academicians He xiantu and Lin Zunqi, Professor Colin Danson from Imperial College London served as co-chairs of the conference. Professor Zhu Jianqiang, one of the conference Executive Co-Chairs from SIOM, hosted the opening ceremony. 
    This year, the symposium received 152 talks and 40 posters. During the meeting, 11 plenary speakers, including directors of NIF, ELI and other large science facilities, and representatives from other leading institutes displayed their recent research progress on laser science. In addition, with lively discussions and extraordinary ideas, parallel sessions and serial meetings run concurrently, including Shenguang International Forum for Graduate Students, ICF workshop, ELI promotion program, and HPL board meeting. 
    Every two years, the Symposium brings together worldwide scientists and engineers on high power laser and physics. Its main topics range from high energy density physics, high power laser and high power laser related components to advanced laser technology and applications. The third conference of HPLSE series, HPLSE2018 received much attention and appreciation, and HPLSE series has been the most significant conference on high power laser and physics.