Introduction to Chinese Geophysical Society

 

Chinese Geophysical Society (CGS) is the first-class institution of China Association for Science and Technology. Since February 1947, four scientists, Chen Zongqi, Gu Gongxu, Wang Zhizhuo and Weng Wenbo proposed to organize Chinese Geophysical Society. In August1947, CGS was founded in Shanghai and Mr. Chen Zongqi was voted as the first president of council. Based on nine primary subjects, Geodesy, Seismology, Meteorology, Geomagnetism, Geoelectricity, Volcanology, Hydrology, Tectonophysics and Applied geophysics. CGS originated Journal of the Chinese Geophysical Society and set up a committee for examining and approving the geophysical terms, and ascertained as organizing academic exchange and publishing as the main actives of society.

After the new China’s foundation, it migrated to the capital Beijing in 1954. In February 1957, the first general meeting of CGS was convened at Beijing, and voted Mr. Zhao Jiuzhang as the president of council. The past presidents of council in CGS were Chen Zongqi, Zhao jiuzhang, Guo Gongxu, Weng Wenbo, Liu Guangding in turn.  During the seventh general assembly held in October 2003, Academician Wang Shui was elected as the president of council, and Academician Zhu Rixiang as the secretary-general. The council of present session has 112 members, including 23 standing members. Now (till 31 December 2004) it has totally 13, 699 registered members, who are of the rank engineer or higher, including 54 academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineer. 

Geophysics is the sciences that investigate the formation, evolution, structure, and composition of the earth on which humankind lives. It involves probing and studying the solar system, space, atmosphere, and solid earth-crust, mantle and core. It aims at utilizing available knowledge of the properties and attributes of the earth to develop modern science and technology, and observe and investigate the relevant objects of the earth, so that it can bring benefit to humankind.

The Society has 13 special committees, and publishes five scientific journals with the goal to promote development of science and technology and information exchange. It has also 7 commissions in charge of organize and coordinate cooperation and exchange between special committees as well as other domestic and international activities. The Society makes great efforts to carry out continue education and scientific dissemination to raise quality and standards of people. To encourage and support creation, innovation, and pioneering work of all the members, the Society has set up the Geophysical Development Foundation and Science Foundation. The Society has its branches in every province, autonomy, and municipality directly under the central government of China, as well as in North America. Every year a comprehensive meeting is held to provide a forum for discussions and a platform for issuing new results of technical development as well as to promote transformation of scientific results and multiple cooperation.

As a non-governmental organization of China, Chinese Geophysical Society is particularly committed itself to provide consultant service for the national economy and construction, in addition to serve its members and geophysicists. For instance, many suggestions made by the Society, such as “ Second development of exploration of oil and gas in China”, “Establishment of the international geomagnetic meridian chain”, “ Special geophysical project of reservoirs”, Chinese entry into the international organization of oceanic laws”, and “Promotion of usage of fuel additives in favor of energy saving and environment protection, have been highly appreciated by the relevant departments of the central government, of which some have been effective or fruitful.

In order to improve the management and get a wider foundation of scientific exchange, the Society made a reform in its administration, i.e. turning from single sponsor to multiple sponsors. At present, Chinese Geophysical Society is sponsored by the following 8 institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Land and Resources China, China Earthquake Administration, China National Petroleum Corporation, China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, China National Administration Coal Geology, and. BGP China National Petroleum Corporation, Democratic elections are regularly performed to produce the council, the standing council, and special committees of the society. Staffs working at the society office are recruited via a public manner. Scientific activities of the society are organized at various levels. Ordinary seminars are organized by each special committee. The annual meeting of the society is held by the standing council, for which the local organization committee is determined via a competitive way that will be particularly supported. The final goal of the society is to advance development and innovation of geophysics and serve well the economic construction through inter-discipline exchange, permeation, and integration.