A special symposium on recent discoveries and advances in recent Chinese paleontology was held at the 3rd International Palaontological Congress (IPC3) in  London from June 28 to July 3.

The symposium was initiated by RONG Jiayu (member of IPC3 Scientific Committee) and YANG Qun (member of IPC3 Executive Committee), both researchers with Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS).

The special Chinese session was arranged by IPC3 Organizing Committee in recognition of remarkable palaeontological progress and discoveries China has made in recent years.  Some 40 presentations (oral and posters) including 4 keynote speeches were delivered by both Chinese and international experts and students during the symposium.

IPC is a major international meeting held once every 4 years under the auspices of the International Palaeontological Association. The meeting provides a showcase for all that is exciting and new in the fields of palaeontology and palaeobiology. IPC3 in 2010 is hosted by the Palaeontological Association and partner organizations. Twenty six researchers from NIGPAS and over 40 participants from other Chinese research organizations and universities attended the congress.

Over 800 scientists working in palaeontology or related fields from countries all over the world gathered in London for the palaeontological gala. About 30 symposia and workshops focused on topics such as "Geological and Fossil Records and Biodiversity", "Macroevolution and Modern Synthesis", "Micro-palaeontological Record of Global Change", "Microfossils & Tree of Life" and "Palaeontological Collections" were held.

IPC is a platform to show the latest achievements in paleontological research, to promote international academic exchanges and research collaborations among international research organizations. The last IPC was held in Beijing, 2006, jointly organized by NIGPAS, The Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IVPP) and Peking University, which also attracted over 800 participants worldwide.