The launching ceremony and the first Editorial Board meeting of the Fundamental Research journal,  supervised and sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), was held in Beijing on January 29, 2021, both on-site and online. Prof. Li Jinghai, President of NSFC; Prof. Gong Qihuang, Editor-in-Chief of the first Editorial Board of Fundamental Research and Executive Vice President of Peking University; NSFC Vice Presidents and heads of departments; Prof. Liu Xingping, Director of Academic Affairs of China Association for Science and Technology; Mr. Peng Bin, General Manager of China Science Publishing & Media Ltd. (CSPM); and Associate Editors, representatives of the first Editorial Board, and representatives from CSPM participated in the on-site ceremony. Nearly 80 Associate Editors and Editorial Board members participated in the online meeting. The ceremony was chaired by Prof. Han Yu, Secretary-General of NSFC.

Prof. Han Yu announced the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editors of the first Editorial Board of Fundamental Research. Prof. Li Jinghai issued letters of appointment to the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editors. Editor-in-Chief Prof. Gong Qihuang issued letters of appointment to representatives of the first Editorial Board present.

Prof. Li Jinghai delivered a speech at the launching ceremony, where he pointed out that establishing first-class academic journals is an important task for China’s scientific community. Targeting at creating a world-class platform for academic communication, fully demonstrating the achievements of China’s fundamental research, and introducing the latest progress in fundamental research from around the world, NSFC decided to upgrade the former Science Foundation in China journal into Fundamental Research. Prof. Li emphasized, to receive recognition from the scientific community, Fundamental Research must give full play to the editorial board’s centrality in leading the academic direction and supervising the academic quality, make full use of NSFC’s grant achievements and platform, enhance strategic cooperation with international publishers, and continue to prioritize the needs of the scientific community. He expressed hope that under the leadership of Prof. Gong Qihuang, the first Editorial Board would adhere to its set goal, uphold the scientific spirit, strictly control the academic quality, unite and rely on scientists, and strive to make Fundamental Research a platform with high reputation and appreciation.

Prof. Gong Qihuang stated that the world is undergoing a new wave of technological revolution and profound changes in scientific research paradigms. China’s fundamental basic research is facing historic opportunities as well as unprecedented challenges. The launch of Fundamental Research would not only set up a high-end platform for Chinese scholars to exchange with the world, but also serve as an important window to demonstrate China’s innovative development in fundamental research to the world. Furthermore, it would help increase Chinese scientists’ influence in the global scientific community. The members of the Editorial Board would commit to improving the concepts of managing the journal, enriching its content and promoting its development towards a journal of high quality and distinctive characteristics.

Prof. Liu Xingping pointed out that NSFC established Fundamental Research in the first year of the "14th Five-Year Plan" as a strategic move to implement President Xi Jinping's important instructions on establishing first-class academic journals. He believed that with joint efforts, Fundamental Research would become a strategic platform for accumulating innovative ideas, a significant field for cultivating innovative talents, and an academic highland for leading the science frontiers.

Mr. Peng Bin said that KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. (KeAi) would utilize Elsevier’s platform so that Fundamental Research could develop globally soon.

Afterwards, Prof. Gong Qihuang chaired the first Editorial Board meeting. The participating experts conducted in-depth discussions, actively contributing opinions and suggestions on how to run the journal.

Fundamental Research is a comprehensive English academic journal, covering multiple disciplines of natural sciences. Under the leadership of the Party Group of the NSFC and Prof. Gong Qihuang, 152 experts from 9 countries have formed the Editorial Board, consisting of one Editor-in-Chief, eight Associate Editors, and 143 Editorial Board members.

Journal Website：

http://www.keaipublishing.com/cn/journals/fundamental-research

Online Submission Website：https://www.editorialmanager.com/fmre/default.aspx